Understanding Misconceptions About Dengue

Around the world, dengue cases have risen at an alarming rate, with the World Health Organization (WHO) recording an 8-fold increase in global dengue incidence between 2000 and 2019. In 2023, there were more than 5 million cases reported from 80 countries, with at least 23 countries reporting dengue outbreaks. The true burden is likely far greater, highlighting the urgency of addressing this public health crisis. As dengue cases rise, it’s important to have the right facts about the virus.

Q: Is dengue only a concern in tropical areas?

A: Dengue outbreaks occur in many countries of the world, including in the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Almost half of the world’s population, about 4 billion people, live in areas with a risk of dengue. While dengue is more common in tropical regions, it’s a misconception that it’s only found in those areas. Recent trends show an expansion of dengue cases into previously unaffected areas, including parts of Europe and the continental United States, likely due to a combination of climate change, increased travel, and higher dengue transmission in endemic areas.

Q: How is dengue transmitted?

A: Dengue is most often spread through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquitoes (Ae. aegypti or Ae. albopictus). These are the same types of mosquitoes that spread Zika and chikungunya viruses.

Q: Do all mosquito species transmit dengue? What about genetically modified mosquitos?

A: No, only Aedes mosquitoes — most commonly Aedes aegypti — are responsible for spreading dengue.

Ae. aegypti mosquitoes can be genetically modified (GM) and used to prevent dengue by reducing Aedes aegypti mosquito populations in a community. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency evaluated the potential risk of releasing GM mosquitoes into communities and determined that there is no risk to people, animals, or the environment.

Q: Are the symptoms of dengue always severe?

A: While dengue is known as break-bone fever, people can be infected with dengue with no symptoms or only mild illness. Among people who have dengue symptoms, most recover with minimal intervention. However, dengue can also be severe and life-threatening, especially in children, older people, and people with underlying health conditions.

Q: Is there a cure for dengue?

A: Currently, there is no specific cure or medication for dengue. Treatment mainly focuses on relieving symptoms. Prevention, through measures like vaccination, mosquito control, and preventing mosquito bites, remains the best defense against dengue.

Q: Can anything be done to prevent getting dengue?

A: The best way to prevent dengue is to avoid mosquito bites. Use EPA-registered insect repellents, wear loose fitting, long shirts and pants, and make sure your home is protected against mosquitoes.

If you or a family member has dengue, it’s important to continue to avoid mosquito bites, especially during the first week of infection to stop spreading the virus to mosquitoes and infecting others.

There is a dengue vaccine recommended for use in children 9–16 years old with laboratory-confirmed previous dengue infection and who live in areas where dengue is endemic, which include some U.S. territories and freely associated states.

Q: If you’ve had dengue before, could you still get it again?

A: Because there are four different but closely related dengue viruses that all cause disease, people can get infected with dengue multiple times in their life.

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