As Winter Sets In, Dengue Cases Decline Across Tricity
The winter chill is bringing relief to residents of Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula, as daily dengue cases show a marked decline. Health experts attribute the decrease to falling temperatures, which hinder mosquito survival. The ideal range for dengue transmission is between 18–31°C, making colder weather less conducive for the virus’s spread.
Current Trends in Dengue Cases
- Chandigarh: Daily cases have dropped from double to single digits, with 294 cases reported this year. A UT health official confirmed a steady decline since last week.
- Panchkula: The district has reported 1,304 cases and three deaths this season. While the daily average peaked at over 20 cases, only one new case was reported on Saturday.
- Mohali: The district has recorded 1,468 cases, the highest in the tricity and Punjab. Recent days have seen a significant drop, with only seven cases reported on Sunday compared to 50–60 cases a week ago, particularly from hotspots like Balongi.
Comparing Previous Years
- By November 1 last year, Mohali recorded 953 cases, Panchkula 689, and Chandigarh had the lowest tally at 454.
Dengue Strain and Symptoms
Doctors report a prevalence of the Denv-2 strain this year, which causes severe symptoms such as high fever, vomiting, red chest spots, sore throat, and headaches. In contrast, the Denv-1 strain primarily results in fever and body aches.
Due to overlapping symptoms with viral fever, medical professionals urge individuals experiencing fever for more than three days to undergo antigen or antibody testing to confirm the diagnosis.
As the weather continues to cool, further reductions in dengue cases are anticipated, bringing much-needed relief to the region.
