Dengue

Dengue is an illness caused by a viral infection that are transmitted through the bite of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and by Ae. albopictus. mosquitoes. In this article, you will learn definition, causes of dengue, dengue fever prevention, cure, signs and symptoms of dengue providing key insights for GS Paper-III Science and Technology section of UPSC IAS Exam.

Table of Content

• Table of Content              
• What is dengue fever?   
• History of Dengue           
• Dengue disease and its occurrence:         
• How does dengue fever spread?
• What are the symptoms of dengue fever and severe dengue?      
• Dengue fever stages:     
• How is dengue fever diagnosed?              
• Prevention of Dengue    
• Treatment of Dengue     
• Dengue virus spread map            
• Dengue cases in India    
• Indian government’s effort to control the Dengue             
• Difference between malaria and dengue fever:   
• Conclusion         
• Frequently Asked Questions       
• Reference           

What is dengue fever?

• Dengue fever is an illness caused by a viral infection that are transmitted through the bite of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and by Ae. albopictus. mosquitoes.
  • Aedes aegypti mosquitoes also carries other four related viruses.
  • Both the species vector is most active during two hours after sunrise and many hours before sunset, but it can bite at night in well lit areas.
• The fever leads to the reduction in number the platelets count in the bloodstream.
  • Platelets is clot-forming cells of the body.
• Dengue virus belongs to the family Flaviviridae.
• Causative agent of dengue:Flaviviridae have four serotypes– DV-1, DV-2, DV-3 and DV-4. 
  • DV is a positive-stranded RNA virus.
  • The serotype represents that it is possible to get infected by the virus 4 times in a lifetime.

History of Dengue

• In a Chinese medical encyclopaedia during the Jin Dynasty (265-420 AD), dengue fever was initially described as “water poison” that was caused by flying insects.
• The term “dengue” originates from the Swahili expression Ka-dinga pepo, which translates to “cramp-like seizure.”
• The first recognized dengue epidemics had emerged simultaneously in most parts of Asia, Africa, and North America during the 1780s.
• Benjamin Rush, in 1789 had coined the term “break bone fever” due to the presence of symptoms of myalgia and arthralgia.

Dengue disease and its occurrence:

• The disease is more profound in warm and wet regions of the world, although it can occasionally occur in other parts of the world.
• The fever is more common in Southeast Asia, the western Pacific islands, Latin America and Africa. 
• Outbreaks of dengue fever are more common during rainy seasons.

How does dengue fever spread?

• Dengue fever is transmitted to humans when they are bitten by mosquitoes infected with the virus.
• The fever is not transmitted directly from person to person but it is possible for a pregnant individual to pass the infection to their baby.
• In some cases, dengue fever can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or needle stick injuries.

What are the symptoms of dengue fever and severe dengue?

• The severity of the infection can range from mild to severe.
• The symptoms of dengue begin after an incubation period of 5–7 days.
• The symptoms such as skin rashes and others usually last for a period of two to seven days.
• Severe dengue fever is a serious form of this illness as it can lead to shock, internal bleeding, and even death.
• The severe form of dengue fever is also known as dengue haemorrhagic fever.
• Individuals that are at a higher risk of developing severe dengue, includes pregnant women, those who have had dengue fever before, and infants.
• Severe dengue feversymptoms:
  • Severe abdominal (belly) pain and tenderness
  • Vomiting at least three times within 24 hours
  • Bleeding from the nose or gums
  • Vomiting blood or blood in the stool
  • Fatigue, restlessness, or irritability

Dengue Symptoms:

Dengue fever stages:

How is dengue fever diagnosed?

• A blood test or Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) or NS1 test can help to determine whether an individual has been infected with dengue fever.

Prevention of Dengue

Treatment of Dengue

• There are no specific medications available but medicines such as acetaminophen can help reduce fever and alleviate pain.
• The first dengue vaccine- Dengvaxia® (CYD-TDV) was developed by Sanofi Pasteur and was approve in India.
• Dengvaxia can be administered to people of age group 9-45 years who have had at least once been infected by the dengue virus infection previously.

Dengue virus spread map

Dengue cases in India

• In India, the first epidemic of dengue like illness was witnessed in Madras in 1780.
• The first virologically proven epidemic of dengue fever had occurred in Calcutta and other Eastern Coastal parts of India in 1963-1964.

Indian government’s effort to control the Dengue

• The National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP) aims to prevent sixvector borne diseases such as Malaria, Kala-azar, Lymphatic Filariasis, Dengue, Chikungunya, and Japanese Encephalitis.
  • The National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) oversees the implementation of the NVBDCP.
• The 713 SentinelSurveillance Hospitals and 17 Apex Referral laboratories established throughout the country offers free diagnostic services.
  • The Government of India has supplied 7.26 Lakh IgM tests for this purpose.
• Additional funds have also been allocated to states for the procurement of NS1 kits to facilitate early diagnosis of Dengue.
• The National Health Mission ensures that states/UTs receives the necessary budgetary support to carry out dengue control activities.
  • These activities include dengue case management, vector control measures such as providing domestic breeding checkers, insecticide, fogging machines, etc.
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• Larvivorous fish (Gambusia) are being used in large water bodies to control the larvae of Aedes mosquito.
• Central Cross Checking Organization (CCCO) of NCVBDC monitors the implementation of anti-larval measures in National territorial capital of Delhi.
• Outdoor fogging and Indoor Space Spray are being carried out by State/District/Municipal vector control teams to control the transmission of Dengue and Chikungunya.

Difference between malaria and dengue fever:

Conclusion

Dengue fever is a significant public health concern that poses a threat to millions of people each year. Its impact is increased by factors such as urbanization, climate change, and inadequate vector control measures. Despite efforts to combat the disease through vector control and public awareness campaigns, dengue continues to spread in many regions, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas. Effective prevention and control strategies like early detection, and prompt medical care, are crucial in mitigating the impact of dengue.

Ref:Source-1

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