National Dengue Day is annually observed across India on 16th May to create awareness about dengue among general public and to promote the preventive measure against dengue.
The observance of the National Dengue Day is led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoH&FW).
Background:
The government of India observes the 16th May as National Dengue Day and the month of July as the Anti Dengue Month to create awareness about Dengue- a mosquito-borne viral infection, which is predominantly found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide.
Other Related observance:
i.Since 2011, The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) annually celebrates the ASEAN Dengue Day on 15th June to create awareness of dengue.
ii.In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) joined ASEAN to mark 15th June as AESAN Dengue Day.
About Dengue:
i.Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV), transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.
ii.Around 50% of the world’s population is at risk of dengue with an estimated 100–400 million infections occurring every year.
iii.Dengue virus belongs to the family Flaviviridae, having four serotypes that spread by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes
Transmission:
The virus is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Other species within the Aedes genus can also act as vectors.
Vaccine:
The first dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia (CYD-TDV), developed by Sanofi Pasteur, was licensed in December 2015 and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FAD) in around 20 countries.
Dengue in India
i.According to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), around 2.3 lakh dengue cases and around 303 deaths due to dengue were recorded in 2022.
ii.The National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) administers an umbrella programme NVBDCP for the prevention and control of 6 vector-borne diseases namely Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, Dengue, Chikungunya, Kala-azar and Lymphatic Filariasis.
About National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC)
Director– Dr. Tanu Jain
Headquarters– Delhi
