Comparison of trends of monsoon-related diseases during COVID-19 pandemic in a Tertiary Care Center: A retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction: With the arrival of the monsoons, people living in coastal regions are at an increased risk of contracting water-borne and vector-borne illnesses like dengue, malaria, leptospirosis, hepatitis, typhoid, chikungunya, and acute gastroenteritis. With proper hygiene and sanitation practices, several monsoon-related illnesses may have been averted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To analyze the trend of monsoon-related diseases from January 2018 to December 2019 and compare the trends of these diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic, that is, from January 2020 to December 2021. Material and Method: A retrospective observational study was conducted in the tertiary care center using secondary data of monsoon-related diseases available from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). Results: The overall number of cases of monsoon-related illnesses was low in 2020 and 2021 compared to that in 2018 and 2019. Percentage change of diseases depicts that in the year 2020, all monsoon prevalent diseases were reported less compared to 2019, with the highest change being in dengue and acute febrile illness (AFI). In 2021, a majority of the disease incidence, except dengue and typhoid, had increased compared to that of 2020. Conclusion: There have been fewer incidences of monsoon-related illnesses as a result of efforts to stop the COVID-19 pandemic. This study emphasizes the significance of widespread sanitary practices and their value in the long-term decline of diseases associated with the monsoon season.

Keywords

• monsoon-related diseases
• pandemic
• trends