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The mystery of dengue fever: Why is this mosquito-borne disease so rampant in the tropics?
Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease caused by the dengue virus, scares residents of tropical and subtropical regions. Although many people do not have any obvious symptoms after infection, once they become infected, they may develop symptoms such as high fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, vomiting, and a characteristic rash. According to the World Health Organization, more than 5 million dengue infections were reported in 2023, with more than 5,000 deaths. This begs the question, why is this disease so rampant in the tropics?
"The infection rate of dengue virus is closely related to local climate, population density and sanitary conditions."
There are four recognized serotypes of dengue virus; individuals infected with one type develop lifelong immunity to that type, but immunity to other types is only short-term. Second, reinfection with a different type of virus may increase the risk of serious complications. Therefore, for people in tropical areas, the challenge of preventing dengue fever is not only to prevent mosquito bites, but also to face the risk of potential virus mutation and infection.
Symptoms of dengue fever usually appear within 3 to 14 days after infection. About 80% of infected people may be asymptomatic, with the remainder showing mild symptoms, but 5% of cases may turn into severe dengue fever. Risk signs of severe illness include persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, shortness of breath, etc. These symptoms undoubtedly cause widespread concern and concern, making prevention work even more important.
"Effective preventive measures include eliminating mosquito-breeding environments."
The primary task to prevent and control dengue fever is to eliminate mosquitoes. Controlling the mosquito-breeding environment is key to prevention, so measures such as regularly cleaning standing water and using mosquito killers are very important. In addition, personal protection cannot be ignored. Wearing long-sleeved clothing, using mosquito repellent, and installing mosquito nets are all effective methods.
Due to global climate change and accelerated urbanization, the spread of dengue fever is expanding. Over the past few decades, as dengue fever has spread, cases have increased in South America, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific. In October 2023, the first locally infected dengue fever case was confirmed in California, USA, which made people even more worried.
The transmission route and pathogenic mechanism of dengue fever
Mosquitoes are the main vector of dengue fever, especially Aedes aegypti. This mosquito prefers to bite humans at dusk and dawn, but can actually spread the virus at any time. Once infected, mosquitoes can carry the virus in their bodies for long periods of time and transmit it to others the next time they bite. The infection process can be divided into several stages. The virus is initially injected into the skin and then infects adjacent skin cells and immune cells, which in turn spread the virus throughout the body.
The clinical course of dengue fever can usually be divided into three stages: fever stage, crisis stage and recovery stage. During the crisis period, the patient's symptoms worsen dramatically, plasma leakage occurs, and may lead to shock and multiple organ failure. Even after appropriate treatment, sequelae may occur, including problems with fatigue, reduced concentration, and memory impairment. These complications also have a serious impact on patients' lives.
Vaccines and treatment options
There are currently two dengue vaccines approved on the market: Dengvaxia and Qdenga. Dengvaxia has been approved since 2016, but only for individuals who have previously been infected with dengue fever. In contrast, Qdenga is suitable for people aged four and above and can be vaccinated without having been infected. Although vaccines can reduce the risk of infection to a certain extent, for people who have been infected with dengue fever, revitalizing protective measures must still accompany daily life.
It must be understood that currently, for mild cases, treatment is mainly based on symptoms, while severe cases require hospitalization and fluid supplementation to stabilize the patient's condition. It cannot be ignored that many cases are not correctly diagnosed due to their mild symptoms, resulting in the actual infection and death data being underestimated.
"Our society needs a deeper understanding and knowledge of dengue fever control."
As globalization progresses, dengue fever is likely to spread to new regions. We must remain vigilant and take action to prevent and respond to this public health threat. The prevention and control of dengue fever not only relies on the efforts of individuals, but also requires the coordinated cooperation of the entire society. How can we strengthen our understanding and response to this disease to protect the health of the general public?
