El Nino Triggers Wider Spread of DBD, IDAI Warns Public to Be Alert

Prof. Hartono at the ABCD Land – Let's Together Prevent DBD press conference in Jakarta, Friday, June 19, 2026. (Dinno/VOI)

JAKARTA - The El Nino phenomenon not only has an impact on increasing air temperatures and drought in a number of regions, but can also trigger an increase in dengue fever (DHF) cases.

This condition occurs due to climate change and rising ambient temperatures creating a more supportive situation for the development of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the main vector for spreading the dengue virus.

The Chairman of the Child Immunization Task Force of the Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI), Prof. Dr. Hartono Gunardi, Sp.A, Subsp.T.K.P.S(K), explained that El Nino is a climate phenomenon that causes an increase in sea surface temperature.

The impact can be a wider warming of the earth's temperature which then affects various aspects of the environment, including the pattern of the spread of infectious diseases.

"El Nino is a climate phenomenon that makes sea water temperatures rise, as a result there is a warming of the earth's temperature," said Prof. Hartono in a press conference ABCD Land - Let's Together Prevent DBD in Jakarta, Friday, June 19.

According to him, the increase in ambient temperature provides an advantage for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to breed and spread dengue. The warmer the air temperature, the higher the risk of increasing mosquito populations and disease transmission.

"Every increase in the earth's temperature will make it easier for mosquitoes to breed, as a result the number of DBD cases increases. This is something that needs to be watched," he said.

Not only affecting the number of mosquito populations, rising temperatures also change the behavior of mosquitoes in finding food. Prof. Hartono explained that at a normal temperature of around 28 degrees Celsius, the Aedes aegypti mosquito usually sucks blood every five days. However, when the ambient temperature increases, the frequency can be more frequent.

"As the ambient temperature increases, the duration of blood sucking becomes shorter, it can be once every two days. So it sucks more often and increases the risk of dengue cases," he explained.

These behavioral changes make the chances of dengue virus transmission from one person to another greater. A number of studies have also shown a relationship between rising ambient temperatures and increased dengue-carrying mosquito activity.

In addition to increasing the population and activity of mosquitoes, climate change also has the potential to expand the dengue spread area. Areas that were previously less supportive of mosquito life are now starting to become new habitats as global temperatures rise.

"Mosquitoes are increasing, of course the number of DBD cases will increase. The more countries with more tropical areas, the more mosquitoes appear. That is one of the environmental impacts of climate change and disease," said Prof. Hartono.

This condition is a new challenge for various countries, including Indonesia which has long been an endemic area of dengue. The increasing spread of the disease makes it necessary to carry out prevention efforts more massively and sustainably.

On the other hand, the impact of El Nino which causes drier weather also contributes to the increased risk of DBD. When water supply is reduced, people tend to store water in various containers to meet daily needs.

In fact, water reservoirs that are not properly managed can be an ideal location for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to lay eggs and breed.

"Dry weather makes people tend to collect water. This behavior of collecting water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. This is a mutually supporting situation," said Prof. Hartono.

The public is urged to continue to implement preventive measures such as draining and closing water reservoirs regularly, burying old items that have the potential to hold water, and maintaining environmental cleanliness.

According to Prof. Hartono, the increase in temperature due to El Nino and climate change must be a common concern because it can increase the risk of dengue spread in various regions.

Vector control efforts, changes in community behavior, increased vigilance to dengue vaccination are key to suppressing the surge in DBD cases amid the threat of climate change that is becoming more apparent.