DENGUE VIRUS

The Dengue virus is a member of the virus family Flaviviridae and is transmitted to people through the bite of the mosquitos Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Dengue virus is now believed to be the most common arthropod-borne disease in the world. Dengue is mainly found in the tropics because the mosquitoes require a warm climate. A major fear of epidemiologists is that the mosquitoes will develop resistance to cooler climates and then be able to infect people in the United States and other temperate climates.

 

 

 

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/dengue/slideset/set1/images/replication-and-transmission-part1.gif

Replication and Transmission of Dengue Virus

1.	Virus transmitted to human in mosquito saliva
2.	Virus replicates in target organs
3.	Virus infects white blood cells and lymphatic tissues
4.	Virus released and circulates in blood

 

The mosquito remains able to transmit dengue for its entire life. the majority of deaths that result from dengue infection result from Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS). People who develop DHF have a 5% chance of death but if they go on to develop DSS then the mortality rate can rise as high as 40%.

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