INTRODUCTION : Dengue Fever (DF) has become a serious public health problem in India during the past few decades and several outbreaks have been reported in many parts of the country. The problem of dengue, once confined to urban areas only, has now penetrated in rural areas also due to rapid urbanisation, implementation of several development schemes. In Tamil Nadu, an effective surveillance system has been established in recent years to prevent outbreaks. However, there is a paucity of information on the cyclical occurrence of dengue fever in a geographical area which is essential for forecasting any possible outbreak. Further, Epidemiological findings such as Attack Rate of dengue cases will provide reliable estimate of disease burden of an area so as to evolve appropriate strategies spatially and temporally in a geographical area. Therefore, a retrospective study on cyclic occurrence of dengue in Tamil Nadu from 2012 – 2023 is documented in order to implement appropriate control measures to prevent any possible major outbreak in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu.
OBJECTIVES : It is aimed to find out the spatial and temporal distribution of dengue fever cases in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu from 2012-2013 (12 Years), to analyse the effectiveness of Fever surveillance system an unique system followed in Tamil Nadu, to find out the Attack Rate of dengue cases in rural and urban areas for 12 years and to study the cyclic occurrence of cases and to recommend appropriate control measures.
METHODOLOGY : The effectiveness of the Fever surveillance system in Madurai District is analysed and documented in this article. Dengue cases confirmed serologically were considered for case incidence and calculating Attack Rate per 1 Lakh population in both Rural and Urban areas of Madurai district from 2012-2023. Month wise and Year wise occurrence of dengue cases in relation to rainfall and age wise and sex wise analyses have been done. Mosquito vector surveillance and vector control strategies adopted in in Madurai district is documented.
RESULTS : Fever surveillance and dengue testing in Madurai district revealed that there is a definite cyclic pattern in dengue occurrence once in 5 6 years in both rural and urban areas in Madurai District. Further, the active transmission season of dengue is from June to December every year with a peak after Northeast Monsoon period in October confirming the positive correlation with rainfall. In all the 12 years, it is found that more number of males and adults have been affected with dengue than females and children (less than 12 years). Vector surveillance and control involving line departments like local bodies and creation of awareness on dengue control among people have provided good results.
CONCLUSION : It is evident from this study that the Fever surveillance system existing at present is very effective and it provides reliable estimate of disease burden. It is confirmed that Dengue epidemic cycle is established once in 5 years in Madurai district. Further, the active transmission season is from June to December following monsoon period which necessitates the Public Health system to be alert in case management and vector control in time to prevent any possible dengue outbreak in Madurai district.