Dengue Fever

Why in news?

• Several efforts are ongoing in India to develop an effective vaccine against the Dengue.

About Dengue?

• Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus.
• Symptoms typically begin three to fourteen days after infection.
• Dengue is spread by several species of female mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, principally Aedes aegypti.
• Dengue has become a global problem since the Second World War and is common in more than 120 countries, mainly in Southeast Asia, South Asia and South America.

Vaccination

• A vaccine for dengue fever has been approved and is commercially available in several countries.
• Prevention methods include reducing mosquito habitat and limiting exposure to bites.
• This may be done by getting rid of or covering standing water and wearing clothing that covers much of the body.

Treatment

• Treatment of acute dengue is supportive and includes giving fluid either by mouth or intravenously for mild or moderate disease.
• For more severe cases, blood transfusion may be required.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding Dengue Fever:

1.It is caused by Virus.

2.It is vaccine preventable.

Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:

(a)1 only

(b)2 only

(c)Both 1 and 2

(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer