Multiple dengue virus strains circulating together in India, study warns
A two-year nationwide surveillance study by ICMR's Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) network has found that all four dengue virus serotypes are circulating simultaneously across India, with nearly one in 14 patients having concurrent infections. This hyper-endemicity raises concerns about an increased risk of severe disease, as patients with concurrent infections were more likely to develop severe manifestations like dangerously low platelet counts and bleeding complications. The study emphasizes the critical need for continuous surveillance of serotypes and incorporating dengue vaccines into public health programs, especially in endemic areas, given that vaccine effectiveness varies against different strains.
Key Points
- All four dengue virus serotypes are circulating simultaneously across India.
- Nearly 1 in 14 dengue patients have concurrent infections with multiple serotypes.
- Concurrent infections are linked to an increased risk of severe dengue manifestations.
- DENV-2 remains the predominant serotype, but co-circulation is a major concern.
- Continuous serotype surveillance and dengue vaccination in endemic areas are crucial.
Exam Facts
- Study by ICMR's Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) network.
- Four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4).
- DENV-2 is the predominant serotype.
- 1 in 14 patients had concurrent infections.
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