Dengue: An Escalating Problem of Our Society

Abstract

Dengue viruses, single stranded RNA viruses of the family Flaviviridae, are the most common cause of arboviral disease in the world. They are found virtually throughout the tropics (fig 1) and cause an estimated 50-100 million illnesses annually, including 250 000- 500 000 cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever—a severe manifestation of dengue—and 24 000 deaths.1–3 More than two fifths of the world’s population (2.5 billion) live in areas potentially at risk for dengue.1 Because travellers to endemic areas are also at risk, healthcare providers should have an understanding of the spectrum of infection, how to diagnose it, and what the appropriate treatment is. Come