Abstract
The Indian Subcontinent has emerged as a scene of many mosquito-borne infectious diseases, including malaria and dengue fever. After the 1990s, the rate of malaria declined owing largely to preventive measures, but at the same time dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) were increasing in the region. Outbreaks were recorded in all countries of the Indian Subcontinent with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on the forefront and suffering from the largest number of cases and deaths. We discuss annual cases of DF/DHF in these four countries and possible factors involved in DF outbreaks. We also discuss prevalent serotypes in this region where data suggest the emergence of DEN2 and DEN3 as the most dominant and lethal serotypes. Climate is an important factor influencing DF outbreaks, and rainfall, temperature and humidity play a pivotal role in DF outbreaks. Finally the economic impact of DF/DHF cases is discussed showing that direct and indirect economic loss due to DF/DHF reaches millions of USD each year.
Highlights
Dengue fever (DF) has become a prominent infectious disease with outbreaks in many parts of the world
DF/Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in the Indian subcontinent DF was first observed in Africa, but later with the increase in trade DF reached all parts of the world including Asia, South America and the Indian subcontinent which includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
Since these serotypes were reported in all major outbreaks in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka, a similar pattern can be observed in Pakistan
Summary
Dengue fever (DF) has become a prominent infectious disease with outbreaks in many parts of the world. DF/DHF in the Indian subcontinent DF was first observed in Africa, but later with the increase in trade DF reached all parts of the world including Asia, South America and the Indian subcontinent which includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. These countries experience outbreaks each year with cases reaching thousands in numbers. The Gwalior outbreaks of 200304 were dominated by DENV3 [27,28], and DENV3 was prominent in 2004-05 [29] This cocirculation of serotypes in the same area might be the reason behind the large number of DHF cases reported this year [30]. A similar trend can be seen until 2006, with DENV2 and DENV3 causing most cases of DF/DHF
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