Which states in India have the highest dengue burden?

Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra consistently report the highest dengue case counts. Delhi typically sees a sharp spike in cases from August through November, coinciding with post-monsoon mosquito breeding.

When is dengue season in India?

Dengue season in India peaks from July to November, driven by the monsoon creating abundant mosquito breeding sites. Cases rise steeply in August–October when Aedes aegypti populations peak. The southern states see a bimodal pattern with a secondary peak linked to the northeast monsoon (October–December).

Is there a dengue vaccine available in India?

Dengvaxia is not widely available in India's public health system. TAK-003 (Qdenga) by Takeda received approval in some markets and may become more accessible. The primary prevention approach in India remains mosquito control and personal protection.

How many dengue cases does India report per year?

India officially reports 100,000–200,000 dengue cases per year, but actual burden is estimated to be far higher due to significant underreporting. WHO estimates true dengue incidence in India may be 10–40 times reported figures.

IndiaDengueSouth Asia

Dengue Fever in India

India carries one of the world's highest dengue burdens — a seasonal epidemic driven by monsoon rains, dense urban populations, and all four DENV serotypes.

VirusWatch Editorial Team — Last reviewed: May 2025

Medical Disclaimer: Educational content only. If you have fever in India, seek medical care. Do NOT take ibuprofen if dengue is suspected — use paracetamol only.

Epidemiological Overview

Metric	Value
Officially reported cases/year	100,000–200,000
Estimated true burden	~30 million (WHO estimates)
Serotypes circulating	All 4 (DENV 1–4)
Peak season	August–November (post-monsoon)
Primary vector	Aedes aegypti; A. albopictus in some regions

High-Risk States

Dengue is endemic across India but burden is concentrated in states with warm temperatures, monsoon rainfall, and dense urban populations:

Uttar Pradesh: Highest case count nationally; urban and peri-urban transmission in Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra
Delhi: Annual late-monsoon outbreaks; 2015 was one of India's worst (15,000+ cases in the capital)
Karnataka & Kerala: Year-round transmission; both northeast and southwest monsoon seasons drive cases
Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh: Coastal urban areas highly affected
Rajasthan: Expanding transmission as temperatures rise in previously low-risk areas
West Bengal: Kolkata has recurring dengue outbreaks linked to dense slum populations and water storage practices

The Monsoon Cycle

India's monsoon season (June–September) creates ideal conditions for Aedes aegypti breeding — standing water accumulates in flower pots, tires, construction sites, and open water storage containers. Cases begin rising in July, peak August–October as mosquito populations peak, then decline in November–December as temperatures drop. The pattern is remarkably consistent year to year, which allows predictable public health preparedness but also persistent failure to prevent outbreaks.

Urban and peri-urban areas are most affected — particularly areas with inadequate municipal water supply (where households store water, creating breeding sites) and poor solid waste management.

Prevention in India

Eliminate standing water: Empty and clean water containers weekly. Cover water storage tanks. No water in flower pot saucers.
Mosquito repellent: DEET or picaridin during daylight hours when Aedes mosquitoes are active
Protective clothing: Long sleeves and trousers, especially early morning and late afternoon
Window and door screens
Community fogging: Effective during outbreaks but not a substitute for source reduction

Local Health Authority

India's National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare manages dengue surveillance and response. Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) publishes weekly outbreak reports. State-level health departments run district hospitals and dengue testing centres.

When to Seek Care

Any fever in India during monsoon season should be evaluated for dengue. Seek immediate hospital care if you develop: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding from any site, difficulty breathing, or extreme fatigue as the fever breaks — these are dengue warning signs requiring urgent IV fluid management.

Get Dengue Outbreak Alerts

Be notified when dengue outbreaks are reported in India and neighboring countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal consistently report the highest dengue burden. Delhi typically sees August–November spikes. Kerala experiences bimodal peaks linked to both monsoons.

Peak dengue season is August through November, driven by post-monsoon Aedes aegypti population peaks. The southern states see a second peak from October–December linked to the northeast monsoon.

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs inhibit platelet function and can cause gastric bleeding — very dangerous in dengue, which already causes low platelet counts. Only paracetamol (Crocin, Dolo, Calpol) is safe for fever management in dengue.

Basic dengue care including hospitalization, IV fluids, and platelet monitoring is available at government hospitals free or at minimal cost. Private hospitals vary widely in pricing. NS1 antigen tests are increasingly available at government health facilities during outbreak season.

Sources: India NVBDCP annual reports; WHO SEARO dengue data; IDSP outbreak surveillance; Lancet Infectious Diseases India dengue burden estimates.