Why India’s deadly dengue crisis is now no longer confined to the monsoons

India's battle with dengue fever is intensifying, with the disease breaking free from its traditional monsoon-season confines. Experts point to a confluence of factors, including rising global temperatures, erratic rainfall, and rapid urbanization, as the primary drivers behind this alarming shift.

This transformation means dengue is no longer a predictable seasonal ailment but a persistent threat throughout the year. The altered climate patterns create more favorable conditions for the Aedes mosquito, the primary vector for the dengue virus, to thrive and spread. Urban areas, with their dense populations and often inadequate sanitation infrastructure, become breeding grounds, exacerbating the problem.

The implications for public health are profound. Health officials and researchers are grappling with the need to develop and implement year-round surveillance and control measures. This includes enhanced mosquito control programs, public awareness campaigns, and improved healthcare facilities to manage the increasing caseload. The changing nature of the dengue crisis demands a comprehensive and sustained response to protect communities across India.

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rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and rapid urbanisation have transformed the seasonal disease.