India: Dengue fever outbreak reported in Mumbai

Event

Health officials in India have reported an outbreak of dengue fever in Mumbai. At least 4635 cases, including 23 associated deaths, were reported as of late September. Over 21 percent of dengue-related deaths in the city this year were reported during the month of September alone. Authorities have advised individuals to take precautions against mosquitoes.

Context

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease found mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rash. In a small number of cases, the potentially deadly dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) may develop, resulting in internal bleeding, enlargement of the liver, and high fever.

Advice

Individuals present in Mumbai are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites (e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping in a screened-in or air-conditioned room) and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds on their properties (e.g. small pockets of fresh water, such as rainwater that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).