Dengue Cases Spike in Delhi
Dengue cases are increasing rapidly in Delhi, and the city has reported the highest number of cases in the past six years.
Highly Contagious Dengue Strain
Health experts say that the main dengue strain in Delhi right now is called DEN-2. This strain is very contagious and can be deadly. People with this type of dengue have symptoms similar to other types, but they are more likely to experience shock and bleeding if they don’t get treatment quickly.
Sharp Increase in Cases
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) recently said that the number of dengue cases has doubled in the last three weeks. They mentioned that this is the highest number of cases in six years.
Comparing Cases
To put it in perspective, from January 1 to August 5, 2023, there were 348 dengue cases in Delhi. During the same period in 2022, there were 174 cases. In 2021, there were 55 cases, and in 2020, there were 35 cases. In 2019, there were 47 cases, and in 2018, there were 64 cases.
Understanding Dengue Strain DENV-2
What Is Dengue?
Dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes. The virus responsible for dengue is called the dengue virus (DENV). Female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes mainly spread this virus, and to some extent, Aedes albopictus mosquitoes also do. These mosquitoes can also transmit other diseases like Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya.
Different Types of Dengue Viruses
There are four types of dengue viruses: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. The type causing the most problems in Delhi right now is DENV-2, which is considered the most severe. This variant can cause low platelet counts, and sometimes it can lead to shock and capillary leak syndrome.
Serious Symptoms
Apart from the drop in platelet counts, this type of dengue can lead to more serious symptoms. These symptoms include:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Pain behind the eyes
- Joint and muscle pain
- Rash
- Bleeding from the nose or gums
Incubation Period and Duration
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), after being infected with dengue, it may take 4 to 10 days for symptoms to appear. The flu-like symptoms can last for 2 to 7 days.