Dengue cases have been wreaking havoc all across India, with cases touching record-breaking heights. On a national level, the cases have not peaked beyond recorded numbers in the past five years, still, 94,198 dengue cases have been reported so far in the country, as per data made available by the National Centre For Vector Borne Illnesses.
However, the capital of Delhi is one such place in India that has seen a sharp rise in dengue, with 4,956 cases reported so far in the state, the highest in the last five years. This number is double of the cases recorded in 2022 during the same time frame. The data provided by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) also revealed that the maximum number of cases were recorded in September, touching the shocking mark of 2,141 cases.
Rise In Dengue Cases
While September saw the highest number of cases, 1,487 cases were also recorded in October till the 21st. Speaking to the team of OnlyMyHealth, Dr Manoj Vithlani, Senior Consultant Physician and Diabetologist, HCG Hospitals, Ahmedabad, shared, “Dengue spreads the most during the monsoon season in India. Hence, it is not unusual to see a spike in cases from June to September, as this time is favourable for Aedes mosquitoes to breed.”
Explaining this phenomenon, Dr Vithlani highlighted, “Rainfall creates stagnant water sources where mosquitoes lay eggs and multiply. Additionally, a warm climate enables the dengue virus to mature faster within these mosquitoes, resulting in increased transmission to humans.”
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Out of the almost 5,000 cases, one death has been reported so far, as per the MCD data.
Posting his concern on X, Vinay Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor, Delhi, shared that he is in discussion with the Chief Secretary, New Delhi Municipal Corporation Chairman, MCD Commissioner, and Health Secretary to make sure that appropriate and effective measures like proper sanitation, surveillance of dengue cases, and adequate facilities at dispensaries and hospitals, are being employed.
Dengue Fever Preventive Measures
You might think that since dengue fever spreads the most during rainy seasons, data suggests otherwise. Looking at the number of cases in Delhi from the past years, it is clear that the dengue cases see the highest growth during the months of October and November. In 2021 over 6,000 were reported in November alone, in Delhi.
However despite these prevailing rates of dengue every year, it is surprising that India does not have a dengue vaccine in its child vaccination programme.
Speaking to the team of OnlyMyHealth, Dr J Anish Anand, Consultant Internal Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills explained, “Dengue virus has four serotypes, a distinct feature that makes these strains stand apart from each other. Infection with one serotype does not provide immunity to the other three. This means that a dengue vaccine must protect against all four serotypes to be effective, which is difficult to develop.” This lack of a dengue vaccine is another reason for this spike in dengue cases every year.
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While this news of a spiking caseload of dengue might make you anxious, the good news is that educated awareness, precautionary measures, and an immunity-boosting lifestyle can ensure that you are safe in the upcoming months.
