National Dengue Day - 16 May

Tags: Important Days

National Dengue Day is observed annually across India on May 16 to raise awareness about Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infectious disease, and to promote preventive measures.

An Overview of the News

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) leads the observance of National Dengue Day.

• The 2024 theme for National Dengue Day is "Connect with Community, Control Dengue."

Background of National Dengue Day:

• The MoH&FW, Government of India (GoI) observes National Dengue Day on May 16 to initiate pre-monsoon activities and community sensitization.

• Anti Dengue Month is observed in July to raise community awareness and encourage keeping homes and surroundings free from mosquito breeding.

Dengue Management in India

• Program Management: Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) are managed under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP).

• Nodal Agency: The National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) administers NVBDCP and oversees prevention and control strategies for vector-borne diseases, including Dengue.

• Other Diseases Covered: NVBDCP also addresses Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis (JE), Chikungunya, Kala-azar, and Lymphatic Filariasis.

• 2023 Dengue Cases: As of November 30, 2023, NCVBDC reported 2,34,427 cases of dengue fever in India.

Related Observances

• ASEAN Dengue Day: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) observes June 15th as ASEAN Dengue Day to raise awareness about Dengue.

  • Conception: The event was conceived in 2010 during the 10th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting in Singapore.

  • First Launch: Indonesia hosted the inaugural ASEAN Dengue Day in Jakarta in 2011.

• WHO Involvement: In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) joined ASEAN in marking ASEAN Dengue Day on June 15th.