Photo credit: IANS NEW DELHI: India could see targeted dengue treatments reaching hospitals within the next two to three years if ongoing trials succeed, even as experts warn that climate change is likely to drive a sharp rise in cases in the coming decade. With the monsoon approaching—a period that typically triggers a surge in infections—health experts say the disease is no longer seasonal and is spreading across geographies due to rapid urbanisation and changing climate patterns. Despite the growing burden, dengue still has no approved, specific treatment. Patients are currently managed through supportive care, highlighting a major gap in the healthcare response. At a high-level meeting in Delhi involving global and Indian stakeholders, including WHO, ICMR, NITI Aayog and industry leaders, experts stressed that bridging this treatment gap is now a priority. The Dengue Alliance—a coalition of countries including India, Brazil, Malaysia and Thailand—is pushing to accelerate development of therapies and improve access. Dr Sanjay Sarin, continental lead asia and director south asia, DNDi (Drugs for neglected disease initiative) told TOI that several drug candidates, including antivirals and monoclonal antibodies, are currently in advanced clinical trials. In India, institutions such as Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) and ICMR are supporting research, while Serum Institute is conducting phase 3 trials of a dengue monoclonal antibody treatment. At the same time, policymakers are focusing on building climate-resilient health systems. NITI Aayog member V K Paul said changing ecology due to climate change will significantly alter patterns of vector-borne diseases like dengue, making preparedness critical at all levels of healthcare. Current efforts include strengthening fever surveillance, improving early detection, and upgrading district hospitals, community health centres and medical colleges to handle cases. Mosquito control measures and prevention strategies remain central to the response. Experts also emphasised the need for “decisive solutions,” particularly vaccines and therapeutics. “While some vaccines are already available globally and more are in development—including Indian candidates—access and pricing remain key concerns, said Sarin. With India reporting over 2.8 lakh dengue cases in 2023, and likely underreporting due to surveillance gaps, the urgency is clear. If current research efforts succeed, the next few years could mark a shift from symptom-based management to targeted treatment. Until then, dengue remains a growing threat without a cure.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBJP Declares Yogi Adityanath as CM Face for 2027 UP Assembly ElectionsRSS’ Dattatreya Hosabale In US: “Hindus Not Supremacist, Have Nothing To Apologise For”“Unfair To Drag Armed Forces”: Gen MM Naravane After Rahul Gandhi Cites Unpublished Memoir In LSIndia Urges Citizens Not To Travel To Iran, Asks Nationals To Leave Amid Ongoing Tensions‘Kabhi India Aake Dekho’: Iran Mocks Donald Trump With Maharashtra Video After ‘Hellhole’ Row‘Uninformed, Inappropriate’: India Responds To Trump’s ‘Hell-hole’ Comment‘In Touch With Iran’: MEA Confirms Indian Crew Safe After Hormuz FiringViolent Clashes Mar Bengal Phase 1 Voting As Tamil Stars Contribute To 82% TurnoutFrance Waives Airport Transit Visa For Indian Nationals, Boosts Travel EaseTop Military Leadership Of India And US Engage To Discuss Common Concerns In The Indo-pacific123Photostories5 things teens wish parents would stop doingGrowing Hibiscus at home this summer isn’t hard, if you get the basics rightThe cross-ventilation trick that can cool your room without ACHeatwave travel alert: 5 common mistakes tourists are making in famous citiesHow to make South Indian Mysore Masala Dosa for breakfast at home5 relationship lessons to learn from Sudha Murty and Narayana Murthy5 animals that can switch gender, and the science behind itCan air conditioning make us sick? 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NEW DELHI: India could see targeted dengue treatments reaching hospitals within the next two to three years if ongoing trials succeed, even as experts warn that climate change is likely to drive a sharp rise in cases in the coming decade. With the monsoon approaching—a period that typically triggers a surge in infections—health experts say the disease is no longer seasonal and is spreading across geographies due to rapid urbanisation and changing climate patterns. Despite the growing burden, dengue still has no approved, specific treatment. Patients are currently managed through supportive care, highlighting a major gap in the healthcare response. At a high-level meeting in Delhi involving global and Indian stakeholders, including WHO, ICMR, NITI Aayog and industry leaders, experts stressed that bridging this treatment gap is now a priority. The Dengue Alliance—a coalition of countries including India, Brazil, Malaysia and Thailand—is pushing to accelerate development of therapies and improve access. Dr Sanjay Sarin, continental lead asia and director south asia, DNDi (Drugs for neglected disease initiative) told TOI that several drug candidates, including antivirals and monoclonal antibodies, are currently in advanced clinical trials. In India, institutions such as Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) and ICMR are supporting research, while Serum Institute is conducting phase 3 trials of a dengue monoclonal antibody treatment. At the same time, policymakers are focusing on building climate-resilient health systems. NITI Aayog member V K Paul said changing ecology due to climate change will significantly alter patterns of vector-borne diseases like dengue, making preparedness critical at all levels of healthcare. Current efforts include strengthening fever surveillance, improving early detection, and upgrading district hospitals, community health centres and medical colleges to handle cases. Mosquito control measures and prevention strategies remain central to the response. Experts also emphasised the need for “decisive solutions,” particularly vaccines and therapeutics. “While some vaccines are already available globally and more are in development—including Indian candidates—access and pricing remain key concerns, said Sarin. With India reporting over 2.8 lakh dengue cases in 2023, and likely underreporting due to surveillance gaps, the urgency is clear. If current research efforts succeed, the next few years could mark a shift from symptom-based management to targeted treatment. Until then, dengue remains a growing threat without a cure.
