Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Introduction: Dengue virus (DENV) infection is a significant public health issue in tropical and subtropical areas, with rising incidence attributed to rapid urbanization, climate change, and the proliferation of Aedes mosquito vectors. Understanding local epidemiological and seasonal patterns is crucial for implementing effective surveillance and control measures. This study sought to assess the epidemiological characteristics and seasonal trends of laboratory-confirmed dengue infections at a tertiary care center in Warangal, Telangana, over a four-year period from 2022 to 2025. Material and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using laboratory-confirmed dengue cases diagnosed between January 2022 and December 2025. The National Institute of Virology, Pune, provided ELISA kits to test serum samples for dengue IgM antibodies. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze seasonal trends, annual and monthly case distributions, and demographic characteristics. The Chi-square test was employed to compare categorical variables, with statistical significance defined as p < 0.05. Results: During the study period, 3,484 laboratory-confirmed cases of dengue were found. The peak incidence occurred in 2023 (1,091; 31.31%), followed by 2024 (956; 27.44%), 2022 (723; 20.75%), and 2025 (714; 20.49%), indicating a cyclical epidemic trend. A significant seasonal concentration was noted from August to November, comprising 73.45% of all cases, with September exhibiting the peak monthly incidence (923 cases; 26.49%) (χ² = 484.40, p < 0.0001). Males accounted for 55.17% of cases, and females accounted for 44.83%. Children aged 0–10 years constituted the most impacted demographic (36.05%), while individuals aged ≤ 20 years accounted for 54.94% of all illnesses. Despite males exhibiting a greater overall case burden, no significant correlation was found between age group and gender (χ² = 8.42, p = 0.4925). Conclusion: Dengue transmission in Warangal exhibits a significant burden among pediatric populations and a pronounced post-monsoon seasonal pattern. The significance of enhancing pre-monsoon vector control, early surveillance, and preparedness of healthcare facilities is underscored by the cyclical nature of epidemics and the concentration of cases during August–November. The reduction of dengue-related morbidity and the enhancement of regional public health outcomes can be substantially facilitated by targeted interventions that concentrate on children and continuous epidemiological monitoring.</p>