General perspectives on dengue fever

Abstract

Dengue is the leading arboviral disease of major public health importance across the globe. Severe dengue causes bleeding and shock, and can be life threatening, terminating in death. There has been considerable success in vector territorial mapping, disease transmission process, diagnosis and molecular characterization of the virus. However, continuous sporadic outbreaks and re-emergence of dengue infections are common in recent time. Also, limited treatment options, weak host immune response in sequential infection, inadequate preventive measures in some areas and continual territorial expansion of the vectors are factors sustaining dengue transmission. In this review, we present an overview of dengue virus, disease predisposing factors, surveillance tools and control measures. In addition, we offer suggestions on future research direction to deepen the control efforts. Nonetheless, continual re-emergence of dengue requires redirection from antibody-dependent enhancement and the use of insecticides into environmentally favourable bio-control and molecular surveillance of the vector until effective vaccines are readily available.