What is Dengue?
- Dengue is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus, belonging to the genus Flavivirus.
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- It is transmitted primarily by several species of female mosquitoes within the genus Aedes, particularly Aedes aegypti.
- This mosquito also transmits chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika infection.
- The dengue virus has four distinct, but closely related serotypes:
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- DEN-1
- DEN-2
- DEN-3
- DEN-4
- Status:
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- An estimated 400 million dengue infections occur worldwide each year, with about 96 million resulting in illness.
- Symptoms:
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- The most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and rash. Most will get better in 1–2 weeks.
- A very small portion of people with dengue fever get a severe case. It’s called dengue hemorrhagic fever.
- Transmission:
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- It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitos carrying one of four types of dengue virus (DENV).
- Dengue isn’t contagious from person to person except when passed from a pregnant person to their child.
- Treatment:
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- There is no specific medicine to treat dengue. The focus is on treating pain symptoms.
- It is generally treated with supportive care such as pain relievers, bed rest, and fluids.
Case study : Dengue Outbreak in Kamrup (Metro)
Reported Cases
- Over 235 dengue cases have been reported in Kamrup (Metro) district.
- The majority of cases were reported from areas like Bhaskar Nagar, Geetanagar, Mathgharia, and Bamunimaidam.
- Sporadic cases have also emerged from other parts of the city.
- No dengue-related deaths have been reported in the district so far.
Contributing Factors
- Scarcity of potable water and frequent water supply disruptions compel residents to store water in their homes.
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- This stored water becomes a major breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit dengue.
- Flower pots have also been identified as breeding sites in affected areas.
Ongoing Measures
- Authorities are conducting house-to-house surveys to identify mosquito breeding sites.
- Awareness campaigns and distribution of impregnated bed nets are underway to prevent further spread.
- Larvivorous fish are being released as part of efforts to control the disease.
