Causes of Dengue Fever

Also known as breakbone fever, dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that originates from the Flavivirus virus. It is similar to malaria, and symptoms include muscle and joint pain, rashes, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Because there is no vaccine, dengue fever is a great threat to humans.

History

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the first reported epidemics of dengue fever occurred in 1779-1780 in Asia, Africa and North America. It was initially considered to be a fairly mild illness that only affected those visiting the tropics, and there were substantial intervals of 10 to 40 years between most epidemics. It wasn't until a devastating pandemic in Southeast Asia after World War II that the disease spread globally and became the health risk it is today.

Geography

For most of its history, dengue fever was only found in tropical and subtropical areas--specifically urban areas. But as a result of global warming and rising temperatures worldwide, cases have been reported as far north as Chicago and the Netherlands. The most frequent cases are found in Bangladesh, Brazil, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Tobago, Trinidad, Vietnam and Venezuela.

Time Frame

The traditional dengue fever lasts about six to seven days, and the infected will usually experience another peak of fever in the last few days of the sickness. The standard recovery time for dengue fever without any treatment is three to four months.

Types

There is really only one way to contract dengue fever, and that is to be bitten by an Aedes mosquito carrying the Flavivirus virus. Mosquitoes are the most deadly disease vector known to man, and they thrive in floodwaters. Female mosquitoes suck the blood of humans and other animals as part of their eating and breeding habits, and when she bites, saliva and anti-coagulants are injected into the blood. This results in the transmission of disease, including dengue fever.

Prevention/Solution

According to the CDC, there is a greater risk of infection in urban areas and less in rural areas and at altitudes above 4,500 feet. There is currently no cure or vaccine, but most infections occur during an epidemic. Children under 15 are most likely to contract dengue fever, and fatality is more likely in people who have been infected with it before, so residents of the United States have a lower risk.

Resources

• Fact Sheet: Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever