Recurrence of Dengue Epidemic in Ludhiana-2003

Dengue with its severe manifestations- Dengue haemorrhagic fever(DHF) and Dengue shock syndrome(DSS) is now becoming an increasing threat in many parts of the world. An epidemic of febrile illness with haemorrhagic manifestations broke out in Ludhiana from September-November 2003. Serological investigations were conducted to find out the etiology of the febrile illness. Serum samples were collected from all patients coming to the hospital with acute symptoms and tested by ELISA for anti-dengue IgM antibodies. Of the 2309 samples tested, a total of 586 samples were positive for antidengue IgM antibodies and another 98 samples were reported to be in the grey zone. With epidemics occurring in the recent past both in 1996 and 1999, the febrile illness was serologically concluded to be dengue hemorrhagic fever.