SOLUKHUMBU, Aug 9: Pashi Sherpa of Salleri, the district headquarters of Solukhumbu, is increasingly concerned about the rising risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the area.
Until recently, she was unaware of such risks due to the absence of mosquitoes in the area. However, the situation has changed. Mosquitoes have now started to move into the mountainous districts of Koshi Province.
Locals have observed a significant increase in the mosquito population in Salleri. Some believe that mosquitoes might have entered the district via motor vehicles. "They may have gradually adapted to the temperature here," said KB Ghimire. The residents have noted that summer days in Salleri are now hotter than before, and snowfall in winter has become less frequent.
According to the Field Office of Hydrology and Meteorology, Salleri, temperatures are now recorded at 25-28 degrees Celsius, with morning and evening temperatures recorded at 22-23 degrees Celsius.
The temperature rise has created favorable conditions for mosquito breeding, locals said
This issue is a concern not only for Salleri but also other areas like Sotang, Nechasalyan, and Mapya Dudhkoshi. People in these regions have started using mosquito nets and repellents to combat the problem. Ram Bahadur Thapa said that mosquitoes are now seen up to Kharkhola, a settlement below Lukla.
Rajan Thapa, a person with knowledge about climate change, stated that rising temperatures are negatively impacting both local life and crops. He believes that this temperature increase is also contributing to the higher incidence of dengue fever.
The Health Office Solukhumbu reported 30 cases of dengue across the district in the past month. According to Ashok Siwakoti, the office's pandemic focal person, of the total infected, 20 are males and 10 are females. Of these cases, 27 are from Sotang Rural Municipality, with 19 males and eight females affected.
Notably, almost all the infected had no recent travel history, indicating that the infections were contracted locally. In response, the health office has launched a 'mosquito larvae search and destroy' campaign and is raising awareness about dengue prevention methods.