What is dengue?

Dengue is a disease that can cause a flu-like illness. It is caused by the dengue virus. The virus is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes.

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You can reduce your risk of getting dengue by avoiding mosquito bites.1

Most dengue infections are mild. In fact, many people do not experience symptoms at all. If you do develop them, symptoms may include a fever, aches and pains, headache and a rash. There is no cure or specific treatment for dengue. Symptoms can usually be relieved until the infection has gone. 

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In one or two people out of every 100,

dengue can progress to a more serious illness which can be fatal.2

This is called severe dengue.

Dengue occurs in more than 100 countries and is widespread in tropical and sub-tropical climates.3

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Dengue virus is frequently transported from one place to another by infected travelers.

The number of cases is increasing as dengue spreads to new areas where the mosquitoes that transmit the virus are present, including Europe. Larger outbreaks are occurring even outside of regions where the virus is prevalent.

References
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention: What We Know. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/prevention/index.html. [Accessed March 2022].  

  2. Fit For Travel. Dengue Fever. Available at: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/disease-prevention-advice/dengue-fever. [Accessed March 2022]. 

  3. World Health Organization. Dengue and severe dengue. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue. [Accessed January 2022].