India's Dengue Season Is Getting Longer, and Kids Are Most at Risk

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Dengue is becoming a year-round public health challenge in India. Cases are appearing before the monsoon in several states and continuing long after the rains have ended. For children, this means longer exposure, higher chance of infection and greater risk of severe illness.

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We spoke to Dr SP Sharma, Senior Consultant - Paediatrics, Prayag Hospitals, to understand the reasons behind the rising number of dengue cases beyond the monsoon season.

The Stats

In 2024, India saw over 233,000 cases of dengue and nearly 300 deaths according to national surveillance figures from the government's vector borne disease control programme. Cases fell in 2025, to just under 122,000, though more than 130 people still died. Early 2026 figures suggest the improvement was temporary. By the end of February, nearly 7,000 cases had already been logged, a number that usually takes much longer in the year to reach.

Kerala shows this clearly. Hospitals began reporting dengue infections weeks before the monsoon officially arrived in the state. Over the past week, the state has averaged 100 or more cases a day. Public health experts say the focus now is on controlling the overall case burden early, before transmission spreads further across the state.

The Mosquito is Changing its Habits

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"Aedes mosquitoes, which carry dengue, breed in small amounts of stagnant water. A flowerpot, a discarded tyre, a construction site, or a blocked drain is enough. Higher temperatures speed up how fast a mosquito breeds and how quickly the virus develops inside it, so more mosquitoes become infectious in less time," said Dr Sharma.

Rainfall patterns have added to the problem. Many regions now receive scattered rainfall throughout the year instead of one concentrated monsoon season. "This creates better conditions for mosquito breeding than a single wet season with short bursts of rain, as repeated rain and dry spells create pools of stagnant water over and over again," added Dr Sharma. Fast, unplanned urban growth further worsens the situation, as poor drainage and half-finished construction sites in expanding cities provide ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes close to homes and schools.

Delhi's numbers show a trend that has been building over several years. The city recorded 52 cases in April 2026, up from 42 cases in April 2025 and 31 cases in April 2021. The steady rise in cases during the same month across consecutive years suggests a longer transmission period rather than a one-off spike.

Children are carrying a bigger share of the burden

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"Children under the age of 15 account for a large proportion of dengue cases in India, according to paediatricians who track the disease. Their immune response to the virus differs from that of adults, and a child who has already had one dengue infection faces a higher risk of developing severe illness if infected again with a different strain," warned Dr Sharma.

A study of nearly 1,000 children in Delhi found an acute dengue incidence of nearly 38 cases per 1,000 person-years, with children aged 5 to 10 bearing the highest burden at more than 50 cases per 1,000 person-years. Other research estimates that around 17 million Indian children experience their first dengue infection each year, and that half of all children in the country are infected by the age of six.

A longer transmission season means children face more chances of exposure earlier in life, which raises the odds of a second, more dangerous infection.

Warning Signs Parents Should Watch For

"Dengue in children often starts mild and can worsen within days. Early warning signs include high fever, body aches and a rash. Parents should watch for sudden changes, persistent vomiting, stomach pain, bleeding gums, unusual tiredness or fever that goes down but the child gets worse instead of better. These can be signs of severe dengue, which needs immediate medical attention," advised Dr Sharma.

Doctors say weaker immunity, the chance of repeat infections, and existing health conditions raise a child's risk once infected. Early medical intervention, not just treating the fever at home and waiting, changes the course. Year-round risk means seasonal precautions are no longer enough.

"Mosquito control has to be round the year, not just in monsoon campaigns. Clearing standing water around homes, schools, and construction sites, using nets and repellents, and keeping water storage containers covered need to become regular habits rather than monsoon reminders," noted Dr Sharma.

States are also being pushed to track cases earlier in the year and act before numbers climb, instead of responding after an outbreak is already underway. India's first dengue vaccine, Qdenga, is expected to become available this year, giving health authorities another tool against the disease.

Dengue once had a season. The numbers from Delhi, Kerala, and national surveillance data now show a disease active through the year, with children facing the largest share of the risk.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.