By Ashis Biswas
A major outbreak of dengue fever is sweeping over South Asian countries this year; in India, the reduced rainfall during the current weak monsoon season has emerged as a negative factor.
While the number of affected persons and dengue-related deaths are significantly higher in India in the region as a whole, because of its larger population, the situation in neighbouring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh is not much better either.
According to medical authorities, rising temperatures over longer periods during spring/summer months, rapid urbanisation, rising air pollution and unpredictable rain patterns have all contributed to the spread of dengue fever in recent years. There are alarming signs that the fever may no longer be treated as a seasonal phenomenon. This year, almost 7000 cases in India, a staggering number, were reported during the Jan-Feb period, breaking previous records!
More cases were reported from South Indian states with Tamil Nadu registering 2873 cases, while Maharashtra followed with 786, according to recent reports. There were more cases in Kerala and Karnataka as well on a y-on-y basis. Official sources said the growing numbers of, dengue-related cases challenged common perceptions still prevailing in parts of the country that the disease was seen at its most virulent form during the pre- monsoon and rainy seasons.
As for Bangladesh, foreign media reports claimed that in June over 5000 dengue attacks were reported. Countrywide, 714 cases were reported in May, which rose to 1703 by mid June. Nine people have died so far. Hundreds of people were being admitted to hospitals daily.
The medical outlook for Bangladesh n the short and medium terms was grim, as the peak of dengue was usually witnessed during the June/September period. The worst affected areas, apart from crowded parts like Dhaka etc, were Barishal and Chattogram, suggesting that conditions were alarming in both urban and rural areas.
A further discouraging common feature for south Asian countries regarding the spread of dengue (and also measles, for Bangladesh) was the significant drop in the quantum of rainfall during the present monsoon this year. The one thing that kept the mosquito population down and reduced its breeding time was the repeated spells of heavy rainfall usually seen during the monsoon. But this year, a generally reduced rainfall has been predicted for the region as a whole because of the La Nina factor operating at present.
As for deaths, the highest figure for India was reported in 2023, at 485 out of 230,000 cases.
The Sri Lankan government too, expressed official concern over a recent surge in the spread of dengue. This year, nearly 48,000 cases have been reported so far, but authorities are alarmed about the rapid transmission of the disease. Normally, around 600/650 cases are reported during the peak mission period, when the vector mosquitos are most active.. This year, there have been days when more than 1000 cases have been registered on the island. The number of dead so far — 28 and rising.
As things stand, hospital facilities have come under a major strain, as more and more patients get admitted. Not only medicines and supplies are running out, but the hospital staff themselves are feeling the strain, as there is little relief for them, creating avoidable tensions at workplace.
In Nepal, the assumption that mosquitos do not thrive in winter/generally cold climate has been proved wrong. As with India and Sri Lanka, authorities in Nepal too, fear that in recent years. dengue cases are being reported throughout the year, including the winter months. A major Nepalese daily reports that this January 149 people reported sick on account of dengue, in February the figure rose to 155, while March reported 152 cases.
An additional problem for Nepal was the faster transmission of the disease from densely populated areas. These included, the Kathmandu valley, Jhapa, Kaski and Chitwan, according to Nepalese media accounts. Last year, there were at least 6 dengue-related deaths, but authorities admitted that there were occasions when details regarding serious outbreaks of diseases were underreported, owing to a lack of awareness, difficulties in traffic movement and communication in general. Work conditions generally got more difficult during the monsoon or winter months.
Not taking chances authorities have already issued a general warning among government staff and common people calling for more attention and care to reduce the breeding of mosquitos and general disease infection. (IPA Service)
