New dengue virus confirmed in India

1. A new dengue virus has been confirmed for the first time in the country.
2. Pune scientists at National Institute of Virology said the new virus of an Asian genotype genetic structure was a concern as it was associated with severe and extensive epidemics in Singapore in 2005 and Sri Lanka in 2009.
3. The virus type was also responsible for outbreaks in Tamil Nadu in 2012 and Kerala in 2013
4. There are four distinct types circulating in India dengue virus type 1 DENV 1 DENV 2 DENV 3 and DENV 4.
5. The finding does not mean the Asian genotype has become more prevalent than the American African genotype of DENV 1 that has been in circulation in India since the 1940s.
6. Both types of DENV 1 were still co circulating in TN and Kerala.
7. The Asian genotype was seen only in TN and Kerala.
8. A large number of samples should be tested before one can say that the new Asian genotype has become dominant over the African American genotype in India. IMA Views 1. No panic 2. It s still DEN 1 virus 3. DEN1 viruses cause mild illnesses 4. Asian genotype will give lifelong immunity to all DEN1 strains. So it is not that now people can have dengue five times in life time. It still remains four times.