Although the goal of disease control is to prevent epidemic transmission, if an epidemic does occur, ways to minimize its impact include:

• Teaching the medical community how to diagnose and manage dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), so they are better prepared to effectively manage and treat large numbers of cases. Mortality from DHF will thus be minimized.
• Implementing an emergency contingency plan to anticipate the logistical issues of hospitalizing large numbers of patients and to outline measures for community-wide vector control activities. Such plans should be prepared with the participation of all parties and agencies involved, and should be ready for implementation prior to the emergence of an epidemic.
• Educating the general public to encourage and enable them to carry out vector control in their homes and neighborhoods.