Over 8,000 cases of dengue have been reported so far in Kerala in 2024. In the last week alone, the state has reported 774 cases of dengue according to the health department.
The symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding (such as nose or gum bleeds, or easy bruising).
The most severe form, dengue shock syndrome, can lead to shock, coma, and death. The incubation period for dengue is typically 4-10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
Dengue is caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
“In addition to innumerable freshwater bodies, urban areas with busy construction sites are prone to water-logging, which aggravates the problem,” said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan.
He added that several countries, especially in South America have had a severe dengue season in the past couple of years and that the same trend is observed in Kerala.