Dengue Outbreak in Ludhiana ( Punjab ) , India , 1996

An outbreak of dengue fever/dengue haemorrhagic fever was reported from Ludhiana city in Punjab state, India, during October 1996. The outbreak started in the last week of September and lasted up to the first week of December. The number of cases reported during the outbreak was 720, with 19 deaths. A community survey revealed a very high attack rate of fever cases (4.10%). Serological tests suggested a recent dengue virus infection as seven serum samples out of nine tested were found to be positive. Aedes survey carried out in some of the affected localities revealed the presence of Aedes aegypti, a vector mosquito. The values of House and Container indices in Ludhiana city during the survey were 32.8% and 29.16% respectively. Breeding of Aedes mosquitoes was detected in various types of containers, mostly desertcoolers. To prevent such outbreaks in the state of Punjab and in the region, there is an urgent need for taking appropriate preventive measures and for disease/vector surveillance.