About half the world’s population is at risk for dengue, according to data by the World Health Organization (WHO). A vector-borne disease, it spreads through the bite of the female Aedes aegypti mosquito. Rainfall, fluctuating temperatures and rapid urbanization - all contribute to the rise of dengue cases. This year, a dengue epidemic in the Philippines has made 188,000 people sick and led to over 600 deaths. In Bangladesh, 50,000 people are reported sick with the death toll rising to 40 in mid-August.
In India this year, an outbreak in Bengaluru has already affected more than 3,300 people. Cases have also been reported from Bareilly, Doon and Nagpur. Monsoon is here, mosquitoes are back and so is dengue: Here are some key things you need to know about the disease. For dengue, a viral infection, prevention is certainly better than cure. Here’s a quick look at what it is and what to do…
