Cases of mosquito-borne disease dengue are increasing rapidly in many states of the country. According to media reports, its risk is being seen more in Maharashtra. Dengue cases are breaking records here till July this year itself. Compared to last year, this time there has been a jump of up to 83 percent in dengue cases in the state in the first seven months of the year.
While 3,164 cases were reported in Maharashtra between January and July 2023, 5,776 cases have been registered in the first seven months of this year, which is almost double. Health experts have advised all people to be cautious about the danger of mosquito-borne diseases.
According to media reports, along with Maharashtra, the eastern states of the country including Karnataka and Kerala are also seeing a jump in the number of dengue patients this year. So far this year, more than 19,000 cases of dengue have been reported in Karnataka. This disease is also raising the concern of health experts in the capital Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
Cases reached a peak in July itself?
Doctors say, every year dengue cases peak around September-October in the country. But this time premature rains and flood conditions have increased the risk of dengue significantly.
In a virtual meeting convened by central health officials last week, Union Health Secretary Apoorva Chandra said that although dengue cases usually peak in October, trends till July 31 this year show that the number of cases is almost much higher than the same period last year. Given the risks, all people need to remain cautious.
Why is dengue infection increasing so rapidly?
Maharashtra health officials said there are two reasons for the increase in dengue numbers. First, we are doing twice the number of tests this year compared to previous years. Second, this time the monsoon arrived early and it is raining in several phases. Such rain patterns create a favorable environment for mosquitoes to breed.
Reduction in the number of deaths
Health officials said that dengue cases have definitely increased in the last several years, but the number of people dying from this disease has now reduced significantly. The mortality rate in the case of dengue has come down from 3.3% in 1996 to 0.17% in 2023. In 2022, there were 2.3 lakh dengue cases and 303 deaths in India, while in 2023 this number increased to 2.9 lakh cases and 485 deaths.
Health Ministry advised to keep taking precautions
The Health Ministry has advised people to remain alert regarding the prevention of the danger of dengue.
Health experts say that during the rainy season, water accumulates under pots, tires, broken utensils, or plastic sheets on top of slums. All these are ideal places for mosquitoes to breed. Stagnant water in puddles and clogged drains also becomes a suitable breeding ground for the Aedes mosquito that spreads dengue. Taking measures to prevent water from stagnating can help reduce the risk of dengue to a great extent.
(PC: ISTOCK)
