Rise in Prevalence of DEN-2 Variant Raises Concerns in Dengue Outbreaks

In Uttar Pradesh the DEN-2 variant of dengue is increasingly common among people who have tested positive for this mosquito-transmitted disease (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Dengue Burden and Circulation of Dengue-2 Serotype Among Children Along With Clinical Profiling in Uttarakhand

Go to source). Samples from Ghaziabad have also tested positive for DEN-2. So far, over 6000 cases of dengue and seven deaths among dengue patients have been reported in the state. The three districts with the highest dengue cases are Gautam Buddha Nagar (627 cases), Ghaziabad (575 cases), and Lucknow (700 cases). DEN-2 was the predominant strain, accounting for over 89 percent of positive dengue cases in 2022 as well. Among the 252 samples tested to identify the strain, 157 tested positive for DEN-2, while three showed a double infection of DEN-2 and DEN-4, according to the data.

Dengue Cases Surge to Over 6,000 in State with 7 Fatalities

This year, over 6,000 people have tested positive for dengue in the state, with seven fatalities. "We are currently in the September-October period, which has historically seen a peak in dengue cases. This year, cases are still being reported daily, but with increased surveillance and follow-up by our field staff. However, the number of patients developing severe symptoms and fatalities has decreased. We hope the peak will pass with even fewer cases," said Dr Singhal. Among all the reported cases, Lucknow has documented 415 dengue cases.

Dr. Abhishek Shukla, secretary-general of the Association of International Doctors, noted a change in people’s perception, stating that individuals are taking fever, the most common symptom of dengue, more seriously and seeking medical attention earlier. High fever and prolonged joint pain following a fever are causing significant distress to many individuals.

Doctors attribute this condition to 'pyrexia of unknown origin' or viral fever. "This type of fever requires further investigation to determine if it is scrub typhus or another viral infection," said Dr. PK Gupta, former president of the Indian Medical Association in Lucknow.

"Fever lasting more than 24 hours requires proper medical attention, especially among pregnant women. With viral infections affecting many individuals, self-medication should be avoided, particularly among pregnant women, children, and the elderly," said Dr. Amita Shukla, a senior gynecologist at SC Trivedi Memorial Trust Hospital.

Reference:

1. Dengue Burden and Circulation of Dengue-2 Serotype Among Children Along With Clinical Profiling in Uttarakhand - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9936569/)

Source-IANS