Monsoon fever risk has moved into the period when it has historically run highest, according to a new study.
After a relatively dry start to the season, the national risk score for the study conducted by PharmEasy’s Fever Watch indicator, has risen from 47 in week one to 61 as of August 12, while the number of cities reading ‘high’ has increased from one in mid-July to 10. Overall risk is now higher than at the start of the season in 186 of the 209 cities tracked by Fever Watch.
The shift has been accompanied by stronger rainfall and mosquito breeding conditions across the country. The national weather and breeding signal has risen from 48 to 87, while 14-day national rainfall has increased from approximately 35 mm at the start of the season to around 133 mm. Some cities have seen particularly sharp increases, including Karimnagar and Ramagundam in Telangana, Chandrapur in Maharashtra and Jaipur in Rajasthan.
The data also points to a less visible part of the monsoon fever picture: typhoid is currently the most-confirmed fever test across the four illnesses tracked by the indicator. Typhoid test-positivity stands at 25.5 per cent, or approximately one in four tests, compared with 8.5 per cent for dengue, 1.4 per cent for malaria and 1.8 per cent for chikungunya. While positivity for the three mosquito-borne fevers has declined compared with the same period last year, typhoid remains broadly stable.
Typhoid is also driving seven of the ten cities currently reading ‘High’, highlighting that the monsoon fever landscape extends beyond mosquito-borne illnesses. Unlike dengue, malaria and chikungunya, typhoid is primarily associated with contaminated food and water, making safe drinking water, food hygiene and sanitation important precautions during the monsoon.Many times some of the typhoid tests can also indicate a false positive result, therefore diagnosis and treatment by a doctor is important.
Historical patterns indicate that overall fever risk typically remains elevated from August into the later monsoon months, while dengue test-positivity in the 2025 season continued to rise through the monsoon and peaked in late October. With the season now entering this period, PharmEasy is encouraging people to remain vigilant and take appropriate precautions.
Gaurav Verma, chief business officer, PharmEasy, “Every monsoon, fever is often dismissed as ‘viral’ or immediately associated with dengue. But our data shows that the picture is more complex. This season, typhoid is the most-confirmed fever test and is driving seven of the ten cities currently at HIGH risk. With our ‘You Think It’s Viral?’ campaign and Fever Watch, we want to challenge that assumption and help people look beyond the obvious, using data to understand what is happening in their city and make more informed healthcare decisions.”
Dr Avinav Gupta, assistant manager with the health platform, shared, “Fever can be caused by several different infections, and symptoms alone may not always tell us which one it is. This season, typhoid is showing the highest test-positivity among the four fevers tracked by Fever Watch, which is a reminder not to assume that every monsoon fever is viral or mosquito-borne. If a fever persists, testing and medical evaluation can help identify the underlying cause and guide appropriate treatment, rather than relying on guesswork.”
Where India stands
As of August 12, 196 of 209 cities are at ‘Moderate’ risk, 10 are ‘High’ and three are ‘Low-Moderate’. Panaji currently records the highest overall risk score at 94, driven by dengue, followed by Bokaro (79) and Gwalior (78), both driven by typhoid.
The highest confirmed lab signals are 100 for typhoid in Gwalior and Amritsar, and for dengue in Panaji.
Here’s what people can do:
Check your city’s daily risk and follow basic monsoon precautions:
1. Clear stagnant water and use mosquito repellent.
2. Drink safe water and maintain food and hand hygiene.
3. If a fever persists or symptoms are concerning, consult a qualified healthcare professional rather than self-diagnosing.