Dengue fever in a rural area of West Bengal, India, 2012: an outbreak investigation.
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Date
2014-01
Authors
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Publisher
WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia
Abstract
Background: During September 2012, an increased number of fever cases was
reported from Ramnagar-II block, Purba Medinipur district. This study investigated
the outbreak, with the following objectives: to describe the distribution of fever
cases, to determine the risk factors and to recommend preventive measures.
Materials and Methods: The clinical features, date of onset and outcome of
all cases of fever were listed. Blood specimens were collected from affected
patients and sent for serological examination. An epidemic curve was plotted and
environmental and entomological surveys were carried out.
Results: There was a total of 100 cases, of which 56% (56/100) were men. Among
the four villages studied, the highest number of cases was from Gopalpur 37%
(37/100), followed by Badalpur 26% (26/100); 19% (19/100) of cases had a history
of migration from dengue-endemic areas. The majority of cases were in age group
15–45 years – 52% (52/100), followed by the age group >45 years – 28% (28/100).
All the cases had history of fever (100%), followed by myalgia – 82%, headache
– 78%, and retro-orbital pain – 73%. The outbreak started on 7 September 2012,
peaked on 18 September, then gradually declined and no further cases were noted
after 28 September 2012. Seventy-nine per cent (79/100) of cases were NS1 test
positive (non-structural antigen-1) and 72% (13/18) cases were positive on a
dengue monoclonal antibody (IgM) capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(MAC-ELISA) test. All recovered except one (case-fatality ratio: 1%). The values
for Household Index, Container Index and Breteau Index of the four villages were:
Badalpur, 3%, 10% and 5%; Gopalpur, 13%, 23% and 18%; Ramchandrapur, 9%,
11%, and 13%; and Tajpur, 2%, 2% and 2%.
Conclusion: The outbreak was probably due to dengue fever. The study led to a
recommendation to destroy water containers and use mosquito nets. The outbreak
was controlled.
Description
Keywords
dengue, outbreak, rural area, West Bengal
Citation
WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health 2014;3(1): 46-50.