An epidemic of dengue fever has swept India; a mosquito-borne tropical disease that is also epidemic in Madeira, Portugal and Puerto Rico and endemic in half of the world's countries. India reported a 59 percent increase in cases from last year, a figure that experts assert is actually in the millions. There has been a massive underreporting of cases which is suspected to be the leading cause of the disease's spread; associated with scant awareness for the disease, poor cleanup of sources for it, and an unsuccessful vaccine search. The reporting's inadequacy is liable to have stemmed from political leaders aiming to protect their reputations. 80 percent of dengue symptoms are that of mild fatigue, while the remaining 20 percent consist of intense flulike symptoms. Upon the second infection, the disease can become fatal but only 1 percent die from it. The acute phase passes within around two weeks, but fatigue and depression can linger for months. There is also the fear of a sudden shift in the circulating dengue strain that could cause a widespread increase in life-threatening illnesses. Trucks are commonly seen spewing pesticides around areas with standing water in areas such as New Delhi, but it is rapid and disorderly urbanization that continue to proliferate the disease; with a vaccine looking unlikely in the next decade.
The attribution of the spread of dengue fever to urbanization demands investigation in that multiple aspects of urbanization are liable to be responsible for it. Byproducts of urbanization, especially the rapid and disorderly type mentioned above, include hectic schedules, readily available food of all types and exploitation of the land's resources, people and animals. De-urbanization is obviously impossible, but many changes can be made immediately to prevent the spread of dengue without a vaccine and counteract the untidy urbanization that has occurred and transition toward more sustainable cities. More opportunities for exercise can be made available for all regardless of income to prevent the stress that accompanies a hectic schedule, and more emphasis can be placed on the nutrient content of the Indian diet; both of which will aid in preventing the loss of immune system strength that allows for contraction of dengue. Additional cleanup of standing water will also aid greatly in reducing the amount of mosquitoes, combined with instruction for the public to eliminate or protect standing water around their homes. This measure will especially help those who live in slums, as they likely have poor means of protecting themselves from mosquitoes via mosquito nets and air conditioning. In addition to urbanization, globalization also has played a leading role in the spread of dengue fever due to the fact that India's leaders have elected to dismiss the epidemic rather than encourage the quelling of it so as not to appear in the ill favor of other prominent figures in the world. By behaving in the public's best interest, they could have reported the cases for what they truly are and already have commenced measures against dengue fever.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/07/world/asia/alarm-over-indias-dengue-fever-epidemic.html?pagewanted=all
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