Dengue Global

About Dengue Global

Dengue fever has expanded dramatically in the 21st century. Approximately half the global population now lives in dengue endemic areas. The WHO estimates 100 to 400 million infections annually. Dengue is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The disease causes high fever, severe headache, joint pain, and in severe cases, dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. Global burden studies have estimated tens of thousands of deaths annually. Dengue has expanded into new regions including southern Europe and the southern United States. Climate change, urbanization, and global travel drive the expansion. The first locally transmitted dengue cases in France were reported in 2010. Locally acquired cases in Florida and Texas occur regularly. The dengue vaccine Dengvaxia was licensed in 2015, but its use was restricted to people with prior dengue infection because of an increased risk of severe disease in those without. A second vaccine, TAK 003 Qdenga, was licensed in several countries from 2022. Wolbachia bacteria infection of mosquitoes offers a biological control approach being deployed in multiple countries.