National Dengue Day [16th May, 2023]

National Dengue Day is an initiative by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, to raise awareness about dengue in the country. Dengue Day is celebrated on 16th May each year. On this day, measures taken to prevent the disease and the government's plan to control it before widespread transmission are also discussed.

According to the World Health Organization, dengue infections have risen exponentially around the globe, with around 100-400 million infections occurring each year. With about half of the world's population at risk of disease, National Dengue Day is the perfect time to educate people about the symptoms and signs of dengue.

National Dengue Day 2023

National Dengue Day was celebrated with much zeal on Monday, 16th May 2022, in India. This day is observed annually to help aware the public about this mosquito-borne disease. On this day, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare plans campaigns and events for the public to:

• Educate them about the deadly dengue disease.
• Familiarize them with the early signs and symptoms of the disease.
• Encourage them to practice preventive measures.

Dengue Day 2022 Theme

To keep the discussions and campaigns on World Dengue Day uniform, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare decides on a unique theme each year. The World Dengue Day 2022 theme was "Be Protective And Defend Against The Dangerous Dengue." This theme conveyed the message of being proactive in preventing the spread of dengue.

History of Dengue Day

As dengue outbreaks are common in India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare officially announced the annual observance of National Dengue Day on 16th May. This day aims to educate more people about dengue and encourage them to follow preventive measures to stop its spread.

As dengue is a mosquito-borne disease, people are encouraged to remove stagnant water and use mosquito repellants. Everybody should participate in National Dengue Day to safeguard themselves and others from this deadly dengue disease.

What is Dengue?

Dengue is a potentially fatal disease often found globally in sub-tropical and tropical climates, typically semi-urban and urban areas. With the current pandemic in full force, it has become essential of severe measures to prevent a concurrent outbreak of dengue. National Dengue Day is observed every year on 16th May in India to educate people about this deadly disease. Find more about what dengue is below:

Causes of Dengue

• Dengue disease is a viral caused by the dengue virus.
• This virus is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
• One in every four people infected with dengue is likely to feel sick.
• The symptoms of people infected with dengue may be mild or severe.
• The symptoms usually develop 3-14 days after the bite.
• People infected with dengue must rest as much as possible, drink plenty of fluids, and take paracetamol to control fever and relieve pain.

Symptoms of Dengue

• The most common symptom of dengue is fever.
• Other symptoms include vomiting, nausea, aches, rashes, and pain.
• The symptoms of dengue can last for 2-7 days. Most people affected with dengue recover after around a week.
• It is important to note that about 1 in 20 people who get sick with dengue will develop severe dengue.
• Severe dengue symptoms can be spotted in the first 24-48 hours post fever.
• These symptoms include vomiting, belly pain, bleeding from the gums and nose, and even in the stool.
• The patient might also experience fatigue, restlessness, and irritability.

Prevention of Dengue

World Dengue Day is the perfect opportunity to educate the public about the preventive measures for dengue. In November 2021, dengue cases spiked to an all-time high of 16,129 in Punjab, India. Dengue has a seasonal pattern, with cases surging in the monsoon period and from July to November.

As such, timely preventive measures will ensure that a deluge of dengue cases will not affect the healthcare system already burdened. Government-mandated days like National Dengue Day are an excellent opportunity to spread awareness regarding preventive measures that citizens can take. Some preventives include:

• Boosting the immune system through exercise, yoga, and healthy eating.
• Other practical preventive measures include mosquito repellant creams, mosquito repellant sprays, mosquito patches, protective clothing, and electronic vaporizers.
• Aside from these measures, people must clean their surroundings and keep looking for breeding grounds like stagnant pools of water or unclean floors.

FAQs about National Dengue Day

Q1. What is National Dengue Day?

National Dengue Day, also called Dengue Prevention Day, is a day designated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, to spread awareness about the dengue disease and intensify preventive measures.

Q2. When is National Dengue Day?

National Dengue Day is observed every year on 16th May. This day was established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to prevent the widespread transmission of dengue, and to educate people about how fatal this disease can be.

Q3. What is the National Dengue Day theme 2022?

National Dengue Day theme 2022 is "Be Protective And Defend Against The Dangerous Dengue." Every year, a different theme is chosen for Dengue Day, and all the events and campaigns for the day are based on this specific theme.

Q4. Who established National Dengue Day?

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, established National Dengue Day. This day is celebrated on 16th May every year to spread awareness about dengue, which affects millions of people globally every year. Dengue Day informs people about the symptoms and prevention of dengue.

Q5. What causes dengue?

Dengue fever is caused by one of four dengue viruses spread through mosquito bites. The two mosquitoes, including the Aedes aegypti mosquito, are the primary transmitters of the virus. These mosquitoes are common to find around human lodgings, especially in stagnant water.