News: A new study published identified envelope dimer epitope (EDE)-like antibodies as a key determinant of broad, cross-serotype immunity against dengue virus (DENV).
About Dengue
- Dengue is a vector borne disease caused by the dengue virus and transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti.
- The dengue virus (DEN) comprises four distinct serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4) which belongs to the genus Flavivirus of the family Flaviviridae.
- The disease is common in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in urban and semi-urban areas.
- Symptoms: Mild dengue symptoms include high fever (up to 40°C), severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, rash, nausea, vomiting, and swollen glands.
- Transmission: Dengue is mainly transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
- Rarely, transmission can occur through maternal transfer during pregnancy, blood transfusions, or organ transplants.
- Human-to-mosquito transmission can happen from two days before symptoms appear until two days after the fever resolves.
- Risk Factors: Unplanned urbanisation, dense populations, poor water storage, and inadequate waste management foster mosquito breeding, while rising temperatures and heavy rainfall from climate change aid their survival and spread.
