Climate change giving rise to new viruses: Scientists

Pithoragarh, November 5

Climate change may boost spread of dengue, swine flu, bird flu and chikungunia as the nation is not yet ready to face these viruses. This was stated by senior climate scientists in a workshop held at GB Pant National Institute of Environment and Development at Almora yesterday.

Dr Rejendra Dhobhal, DG, Uttarakhand Council for Science and Technology said on the second day of the workshop on Friday, due to rich bio-diversity, India had been witnessing the greater effect of climate change in recent times. “Whereas western countries such as the USA have developed several vaccines to tackle effects of newly developed viruses, India has not done anything in this direction,” said Dhobhal.

Climate scientists in their research papers on climate change said while some of the effects of climate change had appeared in the shape of dengue virus in the state. “The dengue mosquito fly only at lower height( not above two feet) is now visible behind electricity poles at more height, which are new symptom of its resistance towards climate,” said scientists at the workshop.—OC