Dengue

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.