Dengue fever

Dengue fever is an infection caused by dengue viruses (of the family Flaviviridae; genus Flavivirus), of which there are four different serotypes known to infect humans. Dengue strikes people with low levels of immunity. Because it is caused by one of four serotypes of virus, it is possible to get dengue fever multiple times. However, an attack of dengue produces immunity for a lifetime to that particular serotype to which the patient was exposed.

As of 20 June 2015, there were 53,823 cases of dengue with 158 deaths reported in Malaysia for 2015. This is 34% higher compared with the same reporting period of 2014.

How dengue fever is spread

In Malaysia the dengue virus is transmitted by a bite from the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Only the female mosquito transmits the dengue virus. This mosquito is a daytime biter, both inside and outside homes, and is most active in the hours after sunrise and before sunset.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed inside and outside the home in containers holding water and rarely fly more than 200 metres from the breeding site.

Symptoms of Dengue fever

It is a febrile illness that affects infants, young children and adults with symptoms appearing 3-14 days after the infective bite.