AMID PANDEMIC, DENGUE OUTBREAK CREATES HAVOC

The first instance of the epidemic was recorded in Madras, now Chennai, in 1780, and the first virologically proven epidemic of dengue fever emerged between 1963 and 1964 in Kolkata and in the eastern coast of India. Dengue fever cases were on the rise in various countries in 2020.

- TANMAYA DAS

While India is recovering from the pandemic, the outbreak of dengue has created havoc in several parts of the country. According to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, reveals that India has recorded more than 59,000 cases and more than 25 deaths till September 2021.

The data also outlines that Uttar Pradesh has reported 8,977 cases and 6 deaths, whereas Maharashtra has reported 8302 cases and 14 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized that dengue is considered as one of the 20 neglected tropical diseases (NTD).

The first instance of the epidemic was recorded in Madras, now Chennai, in 1780, and the first virologically proven epidemic of Dengue fever emerged between 1963 and 1964 in Kolkata and in the eastern coast of India. Dengue fever cases were on the rise in various countries in 2020, including Bangladesh, Brazil, Cook Islands, Ecuador, Fiji, Kenya, and India. Despite the fact that global healthcare and management were under severe strain, the WHO underlined the need of avoiding, identifying, and diagnosing vectorborne diseases such as dengue fever and malaria.