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Dengue Facts

Dengue Facts
Dengue fever is a disease caused by the dengue virus, spread to humans by mosquitos. Once infected most people recover within seven days however in some cases it progresses to dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome. Symptoms of infection are similar to that of the flu and include fever, headaches, vomiting, joint pain, muscle pain, and usually a skin rash. The symptoms of infection usually appear within three to fourteen days following infection. There is an approved vaccine available in many countries but other methods of prevention can also help, such as reducing exposure to mosquito bites and wearing protective clothing. Around the world each year the number of people infected is estimated to be at 390 million, with over 500,000 requiring hospitalization, and deaths reach between 10,000 and 20,000.
Interesting Dengue Facts:
Dengue fever is a viral disease spread by mosquito bites.
In most cases dengue fever produces symptoms like the flu, but when it produces life-threatening symptoms it is called severe dengue.
Dengue fever has been spreading so much in the last several decades that approximately half of the population in the world is at risk.
Dengue fever is most common in sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world.
Dengue fever is most commonly found in semi-urban or urban areas.
In some countries in Latin America and Asia, severe dengue fever is considered a major cause of death in children.
There is no known cure for dengue fever but there is a vaccine.
When dengue fever is detected early on and treatment is sought, the mortality risk is less than 1%.
For those between the ages of 9 and 45 in endemic regions, there is a vaccine to prevent infection and spread of dengue fever.
There are two main species of mosquitos that transmit dengue fever including Ae. Albopictus and Aedes aegypti. Ae. Albopictus also spreads the Zika virus, chikungunya, and yellow fever.
There are four types of dengue fever including DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4.
If a person is infected with any of the four types they will be immune to it for life. If they are then infected by another of the four types the chance of developing severe dengue is increased.
In 2015 the number of dengue outbreaks in Philippines and Malaysia increased by 59% from the previous year, resulting in over 280,000 cases in these two countries alone.
Of the roughly 500,000 people hospitalized each year for severe dengue, approximately 2.5% die from the disease.
Dengue is often diagnosed when an individual has a fever of 104 degrees Fahrenheit and has at least two symptoms that might include pain behind one's eyes, joint and muscle pains, a severe headache, a rash, swollen glands, or nausea and vomiting.
When an outbreak of dengue fever occurs communities can decrease the spread by ensuring mosquito habitats are modified to stop egg-laying, using insecticides, eliminating standing water sources, using bug spray, and people can protect themselves through vaccination and reducing the risk of being bitten by mosquitos.


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