Various dengue virus strains have been found this year in India. While there are two virus strains mostly prevalent in several states, DENV-2 has been found to be the more common serotype in Delhi.

Serotypes 1 and 2 were present in the city last year, accounting for 158 cases during last September. 295 dengue cases have been reported in the city since September 12, this year. In the same period of 2017, there were 1,117 cases, while in 2018, there were only 243 cases. There were 171 instances in 2019 and 131 cases in 2020, respectively.

Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, a former professor of medicine at AIIMS and the current director of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, said that the dengue virus has four antigenically different serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. These serotypes are 65% genetically related, and the same strain of virus usually does not infect the same person. If the same strain emerges, there is a minimal likelihood of a significant number of dengue cases due to immunization. However, September′s high rainfall and humidity might foster the perfect breeding environment for mosquitoes, which could lead to an increase in patients and the emergence of new strains.

He added that dengue serotype 2 is thought to be the most potent variant. Though the number of deaths from dengue in recent years has been low, when new strains appear, an individual′s risk of contracting the disease a second time and experiencing significant symptoms is increased.

Dr Biswas further stated dengue is neither infectious nor airborne. The easiest and best strategy to avoid Dengue is to keep the nearby area clear of stagnant water to stop mosquitoes from breeding. (ETHealthWorld, September 15, 2022)