A study of frequency distribution and some epidemiological features of reported cases and deaths of dengue in Ludhiana district during the year 2008.

There were 7337 cases and 50 deaths reported in the state of Punjab from 1997 to 2008 of which Ludhiana district of Punjab contributed 4973 cases and 32 deaths. Number of cases (2506) and deaths (13) reported were highest in Ludhiana in the year 2008. City/Area wise reporting of dengue cases in hospitals of Ludhiana in 2008 show that the disease is mostly prevalent in the urban areas but now has been reported from rural areas also as 2 cases have been reported from village Kumkalan, block Mangat, Ludhiana. Age wise distribution of the cases shows maximum incidence per lakh population in 31-50 years (52.06) followed by 16-30 years (49.00) and lowest in infants (0.36). The difference of incidence in various age groups has been found highly significant. Out of the 2988 cases reported from Ludhiana district, there were 1993 males, 989 females and no mention of the sex in 6 cases. The difference of incidence in males and females has been found highly significant. Month wise distribution of the cases shows maximum incidence per lakh population to be the highest in October (90.27) followed by November (33.39) and December (23.18). The difference of incidence in various months has been found highly significant. As the dengue is increasingly becoming an escalating problem it needs necessary control measures especially regarding BCC activities and appointment of Biologists at the district level in Punjab needs to be done.