జర్నల్ ఆఫ్ ట్రాపికల్ డిసీజెస్ & పబ్లిక్ హెల్త్

నైరూప్య

Analysis of Trend and Distribution of Infectious Disease Outbreaks in the Indian Himalayan Region over a Period of 12 Years (2009-2021)

Joshitha Sankam

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is endemic to various infectious diseases. More recently, the phenomenon of climate change has further escalated the problems in these regions by causing rapid and complex developmental challenges. Climate change has also affected the intensity and distribution of infectious diseases in this region. Objectives: The objective of this study is to analyse the trend and distribution of infectious diseases in the IHR region from 2009 to 2021.

Methods: Findings were focused on the 13 IHR states/union territories of India. The key variables for analysis of infectious disease outbreaks were collected from the Weekly Outbreak reports of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) from June 2009 to August 2021.

Results: The study found that there is an increase in the trend of infectious disease outbreaks in the Indian Himalayan region. The highest outbreak was reported for Acute Diarrhoeal Disease followed by Food poisoning and Chickenpox. Among those reported, zoonotic diseases included Rabies, Leptospirosis and Scrub typhus. Avian influenza outbreak causing cases and deaths in birds was reported. Based on the mode of transmission, food and water-borne diseases are seen to be reported the highest in the Indian Himalayan Region, followed by Airborne and vector-borne diseases.

Conclusion: There is an increase in the trend of infectious disease outbreaks in the IHR. The mode of transmission of these outbreaks varies for the states which will help understand the situation specific to this region and tailor interventions according to the needs and findings of each state.