India sees highest-ever 35,000 dengue cases in 2012

India has recorded over 35,000 dengue cases in 2012, the highest number in a year so far, parliament was told Tuesday.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Health Abu Haseem Khan Choudhary said total 216 dengue deaths were reported till mid November this year across the country.

Dengue, a vector borne disease, has effected all major cities of the country, with the total number of cases by Nov 15 reaching 35,066 - a sharp increase from 18,860 cases and 169 deaths in 2011. Over 28,000 dengue cases and 110 deaths were reported in 2010.

Choudhary cited the unprecedented growth in population, unplanned rapid urbanisation and inadequate waste management as the reasons behind the outbreak.

"Increased distribution and densities of vector mosquitoes due to man-made, ecological and lifestyle changes" was also one of the main reasons for increasing dengue cases, he said.

Water supply mismanagement, gaps in public health infrastructure, increased mobility of population, and poor infrastructure in the states to monitor mosquito breeding were some other reasons cited by the minister.

Kerala has reported maximum number of over 3,674 dengue cases, followed by Karnataka with 3,482 cases. Delhi, by mid-November, reported 1,584 cases.

Deaths from dengue have been highest in Tamil Nadu which reported 60 deaths. Maharashtra had 59 deaths and Delhi four deaths.