A mosquito-borne viral infection causing high fever and severe muscle pain. The Dengvaxia controversy highlighted complex challenges in dengue vaccination.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by four related dengue viruses (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, DEN-4). It is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The disease affects millions of people annually, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions (CDC, 2024).
According to WHO, dengue has become a major international public health concern. There are estimated 100-400 million infections annually in over 100 endemic countries. Severe dengue (dengue hemorrhagic fever) can be life-threatening without proper medical care.