Another deadly virus appears to be on the prowl as the thick tail of Covid-19 continues to keep the cases up in Bhubaneswar. Dengue is on the rise in Odisha, with the State Capital alone account for roughly half of the over 225 cases reported so far.
The State Public Health Department is concerned since dengue cases in Bhubaneswar increased by nearly 3000% in July. ICMR microbiologists consider that such rapid growth of a viral disease indicates a looming epidemic threat over the city.
A study by ICMR, conducted between 2010 and 2019 covered all the districts of Odisha. The disease was found in every district but the twin cities Bhubaneswar and Cuttack were the epicenters. And, according to its shady reputation, the State Capital is now responsible for nearly half of the state’s dengue cases.
According to the ICMR analysis, there was a dengue outbreak in each district from 2010 to 2019. In 2010, Odisha saw its first dengue outbreak.
In 2016, Odisha was one of the top 4 dengue-affected states. This year had been the worst, with the state recording the highest number of cases (8,380) and 11 deaths.
In contrast, the year 2020 saw the lowest number of dengue infections (496) and no deaths. The situation in 2021, appears to be radically different.
Odisha has earned a dubious distinction when reports of a rapid rise in dengue cases. July won the state a position on the US-based Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) dengue map for South Asia.
According to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program’s data, there have been over 7200 dengue cases across the country to date. Except for Chhattisgarh, all of the country’s Covid-19 hotspot states have also become Dengue hotspots.
Take a look at the states listed below.
- Tamil Nadu has the highest cases in the country
- Kerala second
- Karnataka
- Rajasthan
- Maharashtra
- Andhra Pradesh
Delhi is not on the list because the monsoon has covered the national capital only recently. Moreover, the infection period in Delhi has been from August – October.
Dengue Symptoms
- Abrupt onset of high fever
- Severe frontal headache
- Pain behind the eyes and worsens with eye movement
- Muscle and joint pains
- Loss of sense of taste and appetite
- A measles-like rash over the chest and upper limbs
- Nausea and vomiting
Though Covid-19 and Dengue symptoms are completely same. But symptom number 3 is specific to dengue only. If one has this symptom, then go for the Dengue test at the earliest.
According to the ICMR report, the average age of suspected dengue cases was 30.3 years (95% confidence interval 29.5–31.1). Males were also shown to be more affected than females in the study.
According to the research, “The most common age group affected by dengue infection, according to studies in Odisha, is 11–20 years. Other studies in India, on the other hand, have found that the average age group for dengue infection is 22 years.”
It has been stated that the months of July and September are the dengue fever in Odisha.
