India is witnessing a sudden spike in dengue cases across all states. Amid all the measures being taken and awareness being spread about this mosquito-borne disease, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has raised its efforts to develop a vaccine to combat it. The ICMR, country’s apex agency for formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, has tied up with two biotech companies — Panacea and Serum Institute of India (SII) — to conduct phase-III trials of their vaccines.
Recently, on May 16 National Dengue Day was observed. The main objective is to raise awareness about the same and enhance preventive measures. According to Lancet study on ‘The resurgence of dengue epidemic and climate change in India,’ ” By 2012–13, the face of this disease incidence in India radically transformed. Dengue has become an annual epidemic in many parts of Southeast Asia, and the disease is becoming more hazardous as the environment changes. According to the most recent data, 110 473 cases were documented in India between January and October 2022, which is similar to the number of cases reported in 2018 (101 192). Notably, there was a substantially higher number of cases recorded in previous years: 188 401 in 2017; 157 315 in 2019; and 193 245 in 2021.”
Dengue is mainly transmitted by a mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and is distributed across all tropical countries. As cases continue to rise one must shield themselves with proper knowledge and take measures accordingly. Here are a few questions that answer all basics about dengue.
