National Dengue Day is annually observed across India on 16 May to spread awareness about Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infectious disease, and to promote preventive measures to combat Dengue.
- The annual observance of National Dengue Day is led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW).
The 2024 theme of the National Dengue Day is, “Connect with Community, Control Dengue.”
Background:
i.The MoH&FW, Government of India (GoI) has been observing National Dengue Day on 16th May to initiate pre-monsoon activities and community sensitisation.
ii.Anti Dengue Month is observed in July for community awareness to keep the houses and surroundings free from mosquito breeding.
Dengue and its transmission:
i.Dengue is a vector-borne disease transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female mosquitoes, especially Aedes aegypti.
ii.It is caused by the viruses carried by the Mosquito and is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.
iii.Dengue virus (DENV) belongs to the family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus. There are 4 serotypes of the virus that causes dengue namely DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4.
Note: Other species within the Aedes genus can also act as vectors, but their role is generally secondary to Aedes aegypti.
Vaccine:
i.Dengvaxia® (CYD-TDV), developed by Sanofi Pasteur was first licensed in December 2015, in Mexico for use in people aged 9–45 living in endemic areas.
ii.Qdenga® (TAK-003), a new dengue vaccine developed by Takeda. This is the second dengue vaccine to receive such recognition. The vaccine was prequalified by World Health Organization (WHO) on 10th May 2024
- It is a live-attenuated vaccine with weakened versions of the 4 dengue virus serotypes.
iii.WHO recommends the use of TAK-003 in children aged 6–16 years in settings with high dengue burden and transmission intensity.
Note: Another dengue vaccine developed at the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, at the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in the United States (US), is in the late stages of clinical development.
Dengue in India:
i.In India, Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) (a severe form of dengue) are being managed as a part of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP).
ii.The National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) is the nodal agency that administers NVBDCP and oversees vector-borne diseases, including Dengue prevention and control strategies.
- Other vector-borne diseases are Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis (JE), Chikungunya, Kala-azar, and Lymphatic Filariasis.
iii.As per information available with NCVBDC under the MoH&FW, the number of cases of dengue fever in India during the year 2023 (as of 30th November) is 2,34,427.
Related Observances:
i.The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) celebrates June 15th as ASEAN Dengue Day to raise awareness about the disease.
- The advocacy event was conceived in 2010, during the 10th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting held in Singapore.
- Indonesia hosted the Launching of ASEAN Dengue Day in Jakarta in 2011.
ii.In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) joined the ASEAN in marking ASEAN Dengue Day on 15 June.
About National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC):
Director– Dr. Tanu Jain
Headquarters– Delhi
