Dengue and Severe Dengue

In excess of 2.5 billion people, representing over 40% of the world’s population, are now at risk from dengue. WHO currently estimates there may be 400 million dengue infections worldwide every year.

Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates around the world. In recent years, transmission has increased in urban and semi-urban areas and has become a major international public health concern. Severe dengue is a leading cause of serious illness and death among children in some Asian and Latin American countries¹.

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Reference

¹WHO Fact Sheet. 2013. Dengue and Severe Dengue.

Symptoms of dengue include a high fever accompanied by two or more of the following: headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or rash. Severe dengue is a potentially fatal complication that can include severe bleeding, respiratory distress or organ impairment.

While there are no specific treatments for dengue, control or prevention of the transmission of the dengue viruses can be achieved through vector control by removal or treatment of egg-laying habitats, use of personal protection (window screens, long sleeved clothing, coils, vaporizers, space spraying during emergencies). Bed nets should be used to protect infected individuals in order to prevent transmission of the virus.