Dengue, a fatal mosquito-borne disease has taken many lives in the past few years. Statistically, about 390 million dengue infections occur worldwide each year, and out of which approximately 96 million results in illness. Here in India, dengue cases have risen drastically lately, and records have it that it is only since the 1990s that the dengue cases have become more prevalent than ever. From the year 2010 to 2014 the number of dengue cases spiked to over two lakh, and the year 2017 alone saw over 18,700 cases of this vector-borne disease. The tropical climate of India makes it a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and, in turn, giving rise to vector-borne diseases like Dengue, Malaria, chikungunya.

What causes Dengue?

Transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito, Dengue virus gets into the bloodstream by mosquitoes that have earlier bitten a person having dengue virus in their blood. Dengue cannot be communicable by humans and is caused by any one of the four types of dengue virus spread by mosquitoes. However, after you recover from Dengue, you are only immune to the kind of virus that has already affected you and not from the rest three types. If the dengue virus infects you for more than two times, you are at the risk of developing a severe kind of dengue called the dengue hemorrhagic fever. The best bet is to stay away from mosquitoes as much as possible.

Why are some people more prone to Dengue than others?

While anyone can be at the risk of dengue, but it is true that there are people who are more susceptible to this vector-borne disease than others. According to Dr Rajeev Gupta, Senior Consultant, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, here are reasons why some people are more susceptible to Dengue:

1. The area surrounding the people: People living in a high-risk zone for Dengue are more susceptive. Areas that are dingy, unclean surroundings with stagnant water that encourages mosquito breeding. Therefore people living in the regions that attract mosquitoes are more at the risk of Dengue.

2. People who have been infected with dengue before: Usually, people who have been infected with the Dengue virus tend to contract dengue for the second time as well.

3. Low immunity: People having low or weak immunity are more at the risk of Dengue. Especially during monsoon when your immune system is weak, and mosquito breeding is high, people tend to contract dengue. Monsoon Diet Tips From Ayurveda: What Are The Best Fruits, Vegetables and Oils For The Rains?

4. Low platelet count: You must always get a blood test done and check for your platelet count. Low platelet count leads to various other health concerns apart from Dengue as well.

It is rightly said that 'prevention is better than cure'. Your surrounding plays a big role in the prevention of Dengue. According to the World Health Organization, 'Primary prevention is the most effective measure in dengue prevention and control since no vaccine is currently available. Public education must continue to reinforce how important it is for people to seek medical attention if they have dengue symptoms, and should stress the need to reduce larval habitats and the options for personal protection.' Do you know Home Remedies For Malaria and Dengue: 5 Ingredients To Treat These Vector-Borne Diseases At Home?

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2018 04:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).