❖ Researchers have found a potential link between anomalies in sea-surface temperatures in Indian Ocean and the intensity of dengue epidemics globally.

❖ The link is likely due to its influence on regional temperatures through teleconnections, large-scale atmospheric patterns that can transfer heat and moisture across vast distances.

❖ Dengue is a viral infection transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes species mosquitoes. 

❖ Before 1970, severe dengue outbreaks were only reported in nine countries.

❖ But now it affects nearly half of the world’s population, with an estimated 100– 400 million infections occurring each year.