Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection found in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, especially in urban areas. Dengue hemorrhagic fever, a potentially lethal complication of dengue, has become the leading cause of hospitalization and death among children in several Asian countries.

The symptoms of dengue often resemble a severe case of the flu including high fever, sever headache, muscle and join pains and rash. Four different viruses cause dengue, and there is evidence that being infected by different dengue viruses in sequence increases the risk of dengue hemorrhagic fever.

While there isn't a specific treatment for dengue, with the care of a physician or nurse most patients recover over time, similar to the flu. Learn more by reading our Insect-Borne Diseases Fact Sheet.

Importantly, however, dengue can be prevented. As a mosquito-borne illness, precautions such as insect repellents and indoor spraying, mosquito nets used when sleeping, removing standing water where mosquitoes breed, mosquito traps and prompt treatment, can significantly reduce the impact of dengue.

Learn more about dengue