FACT SHEET
DENGUE
In recent decades, the global incidence
of dengue has grown dramatically.
More than half of the world’s population
is now at risk.
According to the World Health Organization, dengue fever is
one of the top ten global health threats and the most rapidly
spreading mosquito-borne disease in the world. There has
been a 30-fold increase in global incidence over the past 50
years with severe dengue being a leading cause of serious
illness and death in some Asian and Latin American countries.
Common symptoms of dengue include fever, rash, nausea
and aches and pains, lasting up to a week. Some people with
dengue develop complications that can result in internal
bleeding, shock and even death. Severe dengue requires
careful monitoring in hospital.
There are four serotypes of dengue virus, all of which can
cause disease. Prior infection with one dengue serotype is a
risk factor for developing severe dengue in later infections.
Causes Dengue fever is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These mosquitoes bite during the
day, usually just after sunrise and around sunset.
Symptoms HEADACHE RASH VOMITING
HIGH FEVER MUSCLE AND JOINT ACHES
Symptoms typically last for two to seven days.
More about dengue Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the
dengue virus. Here are answers to some frequently asked
questions about this disease and its symptoms, treatments
and prevention techniques.
Where does dengue occur? for warning signs of severe disease is important.
Urgent medical intervention is required if
Dengue can occur anywhere that
indications of shock or bleeding develop, as these
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes live. The most
complications can be lethal.
significant dengue epidemics in recent years
have occurred in Southeast Asia, the Americas How can we help prevent dengue?
and the Western Pacific.
Approximately 141 countries are affected. Conventional strategies for dengue control rely
heavily on reducing the number of water-holding
How many people have been affected containers that support mosquito breeding, and
by dengue? using insecticides to suppress the mosquito
population. However, it is challenging to achieve
More than half of the world’s population is at
sustained reductions in mosquito numbers, and
risk of dengue infection. Each year, an estimated
dengue outbreaks can still occur.Using personal
390 million dengue infections occur around the
repellents and wearing protective clothing can
world.
help to prevent mosquito bites.
How does dengue spread?
In contrast, the World Mosquito Program’s
Dengue can spread wherever Aedes aegypti Wolbachia method doesn’t aim to reduce the
mosquitoes are present. This mosquito is mosquito population, rather to replace it with
commonly found in and around homes, where it Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes. Wolbachia helps
breeds in small water containers. When an Aedes to block the transmission of dengue, as well
aegypti mosquito bites someone with dengue, it as other viruses transmitted by Aedes aegypti
can become infected and transmit the virus to mosquitoes, such as Zika, chikungunya and yellow
another person when it bites again. fever.
Our research shows that in communities where
Mosquitoes
without high levels of Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes are
Wolbachia
transmit virus Mosquito bites a
person with virus
Mosquito bites
another person
Person is infected
with the virus
the incidence of dengue and other Aedes-borne
diseases is significantly reduced.
Mosquitoes with
How can I find out more about dengue?
Wolbachia
block
transmission Mosquito with Mosquito with Person is not
Contact your local health authority for guidance.
Or, for general information, read
Wolbachia bites a Wolbachia bites infected with virus
person with virus another person
this dengue virus fact sheet from the World
How is dengue treated?
Health Organization.
There is no specific medical treatment for
dengue, which has flu-like symptoms. Monitoring READ THE DENGUE FACT SHEET FROM THE
WHO
About us
The World Mosquito Program (WMP) is a not- ground-breaking solution. We have staff working Contact us
for-profit group of companies owned by Monash in countries across Oceania, Asia, Europe, and
University that works to protect the global the Americas, and offices established in Austra-
community from mosquito-borne diseases. The lia, Vietnam, France and Panama.
World Mosquito Program uses naturally occurring
bacteria called Wolbachia to reduce the ability of Our approach has widespread support from
mosquitoes to transmit viruses to humans. communities, governments, research institutes
and philanthropic partners around the world.
Following decades of research and successful Through collaboration and innovation, we are
field trial results, the World Mosquito Program making a difference to millions of lives.
is currently partnering with communities in 11
countries around the world to implement our
