Dengue is becoming a serious health risk globally, with many countries reporting rapid increases in infections and deaths. Health experts say that the level at which the threat of dengue has increased across the world in the last few years has created many new challenges.
Meanwhile, at the Politico Health Summit, Dr. Jeremy Farrar, Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization (WHO), has alerted, calling it a big threat. Dr Farrar said, that as climate change and its adverse effects are increasing, this infectious disease is reaching 'endemic levels' in parts of Europe and the United States.
Endemic means a disease spreading in a particular place or group of people, which can be difficult to get rid of.
Bangladesh and many parts of Europe, including India, have seen the dengue situation worsening over the past few years. Dr. Farrar says the heat is increasing year after year. The risk of the spread of the dengue virus is higher in hot, humid climates. Due to the kind of situation that is developing due to dengue, there is a fear that due to this, the entire health system in many countries may collapse. We are moving towards a 'silent threat', the prevention of which needs to be seriously considered.
There may be a negative impact on the health system
A WHO expert has warned that rising cases of dengue are likely to hurt Europe's health systems. Dengue, in particular children, is seeing a greater need for hospitalization and intensive care, a problem that is overwhelming our health systems.
Dr Farrar says, I don't think we've ever seen dengue as a climate-related health issue before, even though it is a big and urgent topic.
Dengue situation in India
In the last few months, the situation due to dengue has been worsening in many states of India. Information received from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu, and Kashmir to Tamil Nadu, including the capital Delhi, has shown an increasing number of patients in hospitals and the need for intensive care in serious conditions.
In the last 24 hours, 67 new patients have been admitted to the hospital for treatment in Jammu and Kashmir. The situation has worsened from North to South India, however, it is a matter of relief that most of the patients are recovering easily and returning home.
More than 5,000 cases in Delhi till October 21
According to an English newspaper report, till October 21, around 5,000 dengue cases were reported in Delhi. The report claimed that till October 21 this year, 4,965 cases of dengue were recorded in the city, while in the same period, only 1,876 cases were reported in 2022, 1,006 in 2021, and 489 in 2020.
The situation has worsened due to dengue in Bihar along with the capital Delhi. Till October 24, infection has been confirmed in 6869 people in the state. On average, 286 people are being found victims of dengue every day in October.
What do health experts say?
Talking to Amar Ujala, Dr. Abhijeet Sahay, an intensive care physician at a hospital in Noida, says that dengue patients are coming to hospitals every day, although very few people are developing serious diseases or needing ICU. With time, as the weather becomes cooler, we are expecting dengue cases to decline. If there is no rain in the coming days, it is expected that dengue cases may reduce significantly in the next 15-20 days.
(PC: iStock)
