Climate change induced vulnerability and adaption for dengue incidence in Colombo and Kandy districts: the detailed investigation in Sri Lanka

A higher vulnerability to dengue, driven by climate change, is observed in Colombo compared to Kandy, with the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area exhibiting exceptionally high exposure and sensitivity. The study used a composite index approach, incorporating 23 key indicators—such as entomological, epidemiological, meteorological, land-use, and socio-demographic factors—to assess vulnerability across 38 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas in both districts. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to weight these variables. While Colombo showed moderate to high vulnerability, Kandy’s Kandy Municipal Council (KMC) also displayed notable susceptibility, though generally lower than Colombo. Adaptive capacity varied, with Piliyandala and Menikhinna areas demonstrating stronger resilience. The findings underscore the need for targeted resource allocation in dengue epidemic management, particularly in highly vulnerable urban regions.

Udayanga, L., Gunathilaka, N., Iqbal, M. C. M., & Abeyewickreme, W. (2020). Climate change induced vulnerability and adaption for dengue incidence in Colombo and Kandy districts: the detailed investigation in Sri Lanka. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-020-00717-z