As per the data available, the number of cases and deaths were higher in 2012 as compared to 2011. However, the case fatality rate (number of deaths per 100 dengue cases) has shown a marginal decline in the year 2012 as compared to year 2011. The number of reported Dengue cases and deaths are as under: –
Year | Cases | Deaths |
2011 | 18860 | 169 |
2012* | 49606 | 247 |
*provisional
It is not necessary that every patient diagnosed with dengue is hospitalized.
The Government of India advises and helps the State/UT Governments in tackling vector borne diseases, including dengue, through National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme.
Government of India has taken the following steps for prevention and control of Dengue in the country:
Technical Assistance:
A Long Term Action Plan was formulated and circulated to the State/UTs for implementation in January, 2007.
A Mid Term Plan was developed for prevention and control of Dengue and approved by the Committee of Secretaries on 26.05.11. This plan was also sent to the State/UTs for implementation.
National guidelines for clinical management of dengue cases have been sent to the states for circulation and use in all hospitals.
2. The dengue situation in the country is monitored and reviewed with the States/UT.
Union Health & FW Secretary reviewed the situation in the States with the State Health Secretaries on 12th September, 2012.
Committees of Secretaries (CoS) reviewed the situation through video conferencing in Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal on 05th October, 2012.
The Union Health & FW Minister reviewed the situation with the State Health Ministers of Delhi and Haryana on 08th October, 2012.
The situation in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry was reviewed by the Union Minister for Health & FW on 12th October, 2012, at Chennai.
A review with Mission Directors, NRHM was undertaken on 31st October, 2012.
3. In view of the importance of the issue, the Union Health & FW Minister wrote to all CMs of States & UTs for coordinated action to tackle the Dengue problem. An Advisory was issued by the Union Health & FW Secretary, to all Chief Secretaries and by Director NVBDCP to all Director, Health Services on 28th February, 2012.
4. Field visits were carried out to assess the preparedness and to provide technical guidance to the States.
5. Training is imparted to clinicians on case management as per Government of India guidelines and to other health care functionaries on programme activities.
6. Diagnostic Facilities Provided:
For augmenting diagnostic facilities, the numbers of Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals (SSHs) with laboratory support has been increased from 110 to 347 across the country and linked with 14 Apex Referral laboratories with advanced diagnostic facilities for back up support.
ELISA based IgM test kits were provided to SSHs through National Institute of Virology, Pune free of cost. During 2012, a total of 2547 dengue diagnostic kits (1 Kit= 96 tests) have been provided by Centre to SSHs.
ELISA based NS1 test kits for early detection of dengue cases from 1st day of disease can be procured by the States/UT Governments locally using NRHM funds.