The virulent D2 strain of the dengue virus has been identified as the cause behind the deaths of the elders and kids in the districts of western Uttar Pradesh, stated Dr Balram Bhargava, Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The D2 strain of the dengue virus (DENV-2) is known as the most virulent strain. Dr Bhargava mentioned that the D2 strain was not just virulent but lethal too. Around 58 individuals have lost their lives in Firozabad district alone due to dengue over the past three weeks, reported official data. A team from ICMR and National Centre for Disease Control had visited the district to isolate the pathogen causing the cases of fever and deaths… (ET Healthworld – TNN, September 10, 2021)