The study identifies a strong seasonal pattern in dengue transmission, with infections rising sharply during the monsoon and post-monsoon months from September to December.
A new study from northeast India is shedding light on the evolving dynamics of dengue infections, pointing to clear seasonal spikes and heightened risks among urban populations.
The research, conducted at Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital and published in the peer-reviewed journal Cureus on February 1, 2026, analyzed 1,119 clinically suspected dengue cases between 2022 and 2025.
The findings highlight how environmental factors, urbanization and demographic trends are shaping the spread of one of the region’s most persistent vector-borne diseases.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Monsoon Months Drive Sharp Increase in Cases
The study identifies a strong seasonal pattern in dengue transmission, with infections rising sharply during the monsoon and post-monsoon months from September to December.
Researchers attribute this surge to conditions favorable for mosquito breeding, including heavy rainfall and high humidity. These environmental factors create ideal habitats for the mosquitoes that transmit dengue, leading to predictable spikes in cases each year.
Peak Year Followed by Decline
Data from the study show significant fluctuations in dengue cases over the four-year period.
The year 2023 recorded the highest number of confirmed cases, with 63 infections and a positivity rate of 14.6 per cent. By contrast, 2025 saw a decline to 17 confirmed cases, with a positivity rate of 7.3 per cent.
These variations underscore the changing nature of dengue outbreaks and the influence of environmental and public health factors on disease transmission.
One of the study’s most notable findings is the higher vulnerability of urban populations.
Urban residents accounted for 61.2 per cent of confirmed dengue cases, compared with 38.8 per cent from rural areas. The data suggest that population density and urban living conditions may play a significant role in facilitating the spread of the disease.
This trend highlights the growing public health challenge posed by urbanization in regions where mosquito-borne illnesses remain endemic.
Working-Age Males Most Affected
The study also reveals clear demographic patterns in dengue infections.
Males represented 66.4 per cent of confirmed cases, while individuals aged 21 to 40 accounted for 44.7 per cent. This indicates that the working-age population faces higher exposure, potentially due to greater mobility and time spent outdoors.
Clinically, all confirmed dengue cases presented with fever, making it the most consistent symptom.
Other common symptoms included headache, reported in 70.4 per cent of cases, and musculoskeletal pain in 52 per cent. Although less frequent, more severe manifestations such as petechiae and seizures were also observed.
These findings reinforce the importance of early detection and clinical awareness to prevent complications.
Call for Stronger Public Health Measures
The researchers emphasize that the study highlights the urgent need for enhanced public health interventions.
They point to the importance of strengthening vector surveillance, implementing timely preventive measures and improving early diagnostic capacity to reduce the impact of future outbreaks.
The study also notes that limited epidemiological data in Assam has previously hindered targeted dengue control strategies, making this research a valuable contribution for policymakers and health authorities.
Funded by the Department of Health Research, the study provides new insights into how dengue continues to pose a challenge in Assam amid changing climatic and demographic conditions.
As seasonal patterns intensify and urban populations grow, the findings underscore the need for sustained and adaptive public health strategies to manage the disease.
In a region where environmental shifts and population dynamics intersect, dengue is no longer just a seasonal concern, but a recurring test of preparedness and response.
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