Even though government health authorities might be reluctant to
call the dengue outbreak an epidemic, the fear of this mosquito-
borne viral infection is increasing by the day. According to the
National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, in 2012, 100
people have died due to dengue and 17,104 people (till Sept-
ember) have been affected by the infection that causes a flu-
like illness that sometimes develops into a potential
complication called severe dengue. However, as we all know, the
actual figures of deaths and hospitalisation could be much
higher. In fact, in Kolkata, where 9 is the official death
count, the unofficial one is around 60. Such under-reporting of
cases was challenged recently by the Private Hospitals and
Nursing Homes Association in Bangalore, which accused the
government of hiding the real number of dengue cases. There is
no vaccine against dengue or specific treatment, so early
detection and access to medical care can lower fatality rates.
According to the World Health Organisation, the