Dengue outbreak during COVID-19 pandemic in Southeast Asian countries: overburdened the health care system

Abstract

The world is now undergoing in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. During this crisis, the increasing incidence of dengue become a further threat in multiple dengue-endemic countries of Southeast Asia. In this study, the cases of COVID-19 and dengue outbreaks, their co‐infection and co‐epidemics are reviewed. Countries like Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Sri Lanka have been infected highly from both of COVID-19 and dengue, simultaneously. Thus, double outbreaks of COVID-19 and dengue overwhelm the healthcare systems that have really been posed challenges to combat it. Further complications have been occurred due to co‐infection and co‐epidemics of COVID-19 and dengue. Physicians are in trouble to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment for overlapping signs and symptoms. The healthcare system is being fragile and needs to revive by taking immediate measures. An accurate identification and proper clinical treatment are vital for COVID-19 management. Besides, an effective mosquito control program is recommended to combat dengue that also help to stop co-epidemics of COVID-19 and dengue as well.