Telangana sees spike in seasonal diseases this year with record rise in dengue, suspected chikungunya cases in 2024

For the first time, a total of 13,592 suspected Chikungunya cases and 10,077 dengue confirmed cases were reported in Telangana

Hyderabad: In terms of outbreak of seasonal diseases, Telangana had the worst year in 2024 with a record number of dengue positive cases and suspected chikungunya cases getting reported. For the first time, a total of 13,592 suspected Chikungunya cases and 10,077 dengue confirmed cases were reported in Telangana, based on the seasonal disease data available with Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health, Medical and Family Welfare.

The reporting of 13, 592 suspected cases of Chikungunya in Telangana is quite concerning, given the fact that the vector-born disease, which severely impacts joints, was always playing a second fiddle to dengue, which traditionally tends to dominate the season from June to December of every year.

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This is for the first time in Telangana that suspected Chikungunya cases were reported in such large numbers. Between 2018 and 2024, only once in 2022, Telangana had reported close to 6000 suspected cases of Chikungunya.

Senior seasonal diseases experts in Hyderabad pointed out that the significant surge in seasonal ailments in 2024 should guide future preventive and surveillance measures. The large number of suspected cases is an indication of substantial public health issue and a burden on general public as well as the medical infrastructure, they said.

“There is no denying that government and private hospitals were under pressure due to the surge in suspected chikungunya and dengue cases last year. Whether it is confirmed dengue or chikungunya, the symptoms and the treatment protocols were all the same. At least people can now take preventive measures,” a seasonal disease expert on condition of anonymity said.

Due to the significant surge in seasonal diseases, among all the other South Indian States, Telangana, between January 2024 and January 2025 stood second, after Karnataka, for reporting the maximum number of dengue confirmed cases and suspected chikungunya cases.

In Telangana:

Chikungunya:

Telangana: 2024 (13,592); 2023: (761); 2022 (6608); 2021 (220); 2020 (364); 2019 (5352); 2028: (1954)

Dengue: (cases in brackets)

2024 (10, 077); 2023: (8016); 2022 (8972); 2021 (7135); 2020 (2173); 2019 (13331)

South India: Chikungunya suspected cases in brackets

Tamilnadu: 2020 (14 61); 2021 (3654); 2022 (4365); 2023 (4805); 2024 (3091)

Kerala: 2020 (2302); 2021 (3030); 2022 (1511); 2023 (1099); 2024 (889)

Karnataka: 2020 (16, 111); 2021 (40, 134); 2022 (65, 340); 2023 (72, 662); 2024 (77, 592)