Maharashtra on High Alert as Dengue Cases Spike Ahead of Monsoon Season

Dengue and Chikungunya Cases Drop Sharply in Pune Post-Diwali: Here’s Why
As Maharashtra ramps up efforts to combat dengue, both through preventive measures and innovative research initiatives, the focus remains on curbing the spread of the viral disease ahead of the impending monsoon season.
12 June 2024
By Payoshi Bisht
The state of Maharashtra is bracing itself for a potential surge in dengue fever cases as the monsoon season looms closer. Recent data from the state health department indicates a significant rise in dengue cases compared to the same period last year, prompting intensified surveillance efforts.
Surveillance and Cases: Between January and May of this year, Maharashtra has witnessed a staggering increase in dengue cases, with close to 1,800 reported cases compared to around 1,200 during the same period in the previous year. Dr. Radhakrishna Pawar, Deputy Director of the Pune circle, attributes this surge to heightened surveillance activities undertaken by health authorities.
Surveillance Activities: During the first five months of this year, over 1.27 lakh suspected cases of dengue fever were identified, leading to the testing of 18,834 serum samples, of which 1,755 were confirmed positive for dengue. In contrast, the same period last year saw around 81,731 suspected cases, with 15,312 serum samples examined and 1,237 cases confirmed.
Regional Breakdown: Among municipal corporations, Mumbai, Nashik, Kolhapur, Sangli and Panvel reported a significant number of dengue cases. Additionally, rural areas of Palghar, Kolhapur, Akola, Nanded and Solapur collectively reported a substantial number of cases. In Pune city, 10 confirmed cases were identified out of a total of 336 suspected cases.
Preventive Measures: Dr. Suryakant Deokar, Assistant Medical Officer of the health department, emphasised the importance of controlling dengue vectors through source reduction and elimination of mosquito breeding sites. Notices have been issued to hundreds of societies and commercial buildings, with an administrative fee collected from those who have failed to comply with preventive measures.
Research Initiatives: In a bid to combat dengue, three new research projects have been launched with funding from the not-for-profit medical research organisation LifeArc. These projects aim to enhance understanding of the disease and develop novel treatment approaches, aligning with the World Health Organization’s target to eliminate all global deaths from dengue by 2030.
- The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has received funding to explore new treatment approaches and identify novel antibodies for improved drug delivery.
- Tranalab Pvt Ltd, a Bangalore-based startup, has been granted funds to expand their drug-delivery technology platform for creating therapeutic options against dengue.
- The Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) in Australia has been allocated funds to identify new biomarkers that could help predict the severity of dengue outcomes for patients.