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The Disease

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, mainly the aedes aegypti species. There are four strains or serotypes of dengue virus namely DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4. A person can be infected by more than one type at different times during a life span, but only once by the same type.

The dengue virus is transmitted through the bite of a black and white striped female aedes mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person. The virus circulates in the blood of infected humans for 2 –7 days leading to fever. This disease can be inflicted with only one bite. Aedes mosquitoes are active only during early morning (within 2 to 3 hours after sunrise) and late afternoon (within 2 to 3 hours before sunset). However in the cooler interior of buildings and homes, the mosquitoes can be active throughout the day.

Dengue fever is not contagious. It cannot be spread directly from one person to another person. There must be a person-to-mosquito-to-another-person pathway.

The first dengue virus transmitted to a person may result in mild dengue fever. However, subsequent infection by a different serotype increases the risk of a more severe and complicated disease called "dengue haemorrhagic fever" which may be fatal.

References:

World Health Organization. World Health Organization (2002). (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/dengue/en/). Retrieved on 14/02/2008.


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About Us References Acknowledgement		Home > The Disease The Disease Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, mainly the aedes aegypti species. There are four strains or serotypes of dengue virus namely DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4. A person can be infected by more than one type at different times during a life span, but only once by the same type. The dengue virus is transmitted through the bite of a black and white striped female aedes mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person. The virus circulates in the blood of infected humans for 2 –7 days leading to fever. This disease can be inflicted with only one bite. Aedes mosquitoes are active only during early morning (within 2 to 3 hours after sunrise) and late afternoon (within 2 to 3 hours before sunset). However in the cooler interior of buildings and homes, the mosquitoes can be active throughout the day. Dengue fever is not contagious. It cannot be spread directly from one person to another person. There must be a person-to-mosquito-to-another-person pathway. The first dengue virus transmitted to a person may result in mild dengue fever. However, subsequent infection by a different serotype increases the risk of a more severe and complicated disease called "dengue haemorrhagic fever" which may be fatal.

References: World Health Organization. World Health Organization (2002). (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/dengue/en/). Retrieved on 14/02/2008.