India: Cases of dengue fever reported in Delhi

Event

A dengue fever outbreak has been reported in Delhi. According to health officials, at least ten cases have been reported in the city in 2018 as of Tuesday, April 3. Authorities have implemented public health measures, including campaigns aimed at destroying mosquito breeding grounds, to hinder further spread of the disease.

Context

In 2017, a dengue fever outbreak affected at least 9271 people in Delhi. Most cases of dengue in Delhi are generally reported during the monsoon season which runs from July to September.

Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rashes. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, the enlargement of the liver, and hemorrhaging.

Advice

Individuals in Delhi are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites - e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping under mosquito-netting or in an air conditioned room - and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds (small pockets of fresh water, such as rain water that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).