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WHAT IS DENGUE?
Dengue is common
Dengue is a common viral disease that can be painful and harmful. 1
Dengue is spread by infected mosquitoes in tropical and sub-tropical areas.
It is now the world's fastest-growing infection carried by mosquitoes.
If the disease worsens, it may become severe dengue which can be
life-threatening.1,2

There are 4

dengue viruses

Most people think there's only one dengue virus but there are actually
four.2 Dengue viruses can exist in the same area at the same time,
cause the same symptoms and become severe.1,2,3 Anyone in an area with
dengue can become infected with any or all four dengue viruses so it's
possible to have dengue multiple times. After you've been infected by
one dengue virus, you're immune to that virus but not the other three.2

Its easy to catch denguE

Dengue is transmitted by a mosquito that picks up the virus when it bites an
infected person. The infected mosquito then spreads the virus when it bites other
people. It only takes one bite to pass on the virus and the mosquito could bite
several people within its vicinity, increasing the risk of dengue spreading.

MOSQUITOES AND DENGUE

Not all mosquitoes carry dengue
There are only two types of mosquitoes that can
carry the dengue virus and both can be recognised
by the white marks on their legs and bodies.

Aedes aegypti

also known as the yellow fever mosquito4

Aedes albopictus

also known as the Asian tiger mosquito5

These mosquitoes can appear anytime but they

are more common during the rainy season. In areas
where they exist, the risk of the mosquitoes
breeding increases every time it rains but they can
actually reproduce any time of the year.
They don't bite at nightthis risk is usually higher
early in the morning or in the evening at dusk.4,5,6

They can live inside and outside

Infected mosquitoes can be found both indoors and outdoors but they actually
prefer to bite inside.4,5,7 Usually found in urban areas, they live and breed
anywhere water collects such as water storage containers, old tyres, open
food containers and pet bowls. Even small amounts of water trapped on
plates under flowerpots can provide a perfect home for mosquitoes.4,5,8

Uninfected mosquito bites a person

infected with dengue

Mosquito becomes infected

Infected mosquito bites another

person and passes dengue on

WHO IS AT RISK
OF DENGUE?
Dengue affects millions
around the world
Dengue is the world's fastest-growing disease carried
by mosquitoes. It is mainly found in cities and towns,
rather than in rural areas. Nearly half the world's
population is at risk of catching dengue and every
year, around 390 million people worldwide are
infected with dengue.1,2

Dengue can affect you and your family

Dengue can infect anyone in an at-risk area, anytime, even at the first bite.1,4 Dengue can
spread very easily and doesn't discriminate. Regardless of age, gender, health or wealth, even
if you live in a good neighbourhood or keep yourself and your home clean, you could become
infected.2,6,8,9,10

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS

OF DENGUE?
Dengue can be distressing

YOU CAN GET DENGUE

REPEATEDLY

If you become infected with dengue, you may

show symptoms1,2,6 such as:
High fever

Nausea or vomiting

Headache

Diarrhoea

After getting infected with one dengue virus, the

body becomes immune to that virus but any of
the other three viruses could still infect the same
person. It is possible to be infected as many as four
separate times.2 After the first infection, there is
an increased chance of the next infection becoming
severe dengue.

Muscle or joint aches Pain behind the eyes

Rashes

Severe dengue can sometimes be life-threatening

In some cases, dengue can develop into severe dengue which can be life-threatening. In fact, of the half a million
people around the world who are hospitalised for severe dengue every year, around 12,500 of them die.
Anyone can get severe dengue at the first infection but children and people who have had dengue before are at
a higher risk. When dengue becomes severe, fluid can build up around the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
Severe bleeding and organ damage can also happen.1,2

Dengue can affect more than health

If you catch dengue, you could end up feeling ill enough to have to take time off work or school.13 There may also
be unexpected healthcare costs and even hospitalisation.1
If you live in a dengue-affected area and notice any of the symptoms mentioned here, speak to your doctor
immediately. Spotting and managing dengue quickly can help save lives.
Healthcare costs

Hospitalisation

Time off

Feeling ill

WHAT CAN YOU AND YOUR

FAMILY DO AGAINST DENGUE?
Protection can help

Insect repellents

There is no cure for dengue but there are ways to help reduce the risk of getting
infected. Mosquitoes, including the ones that carry the dengue virus, often
approach from behind to bite ankles and elbows and can go unnoticed.1,4,14 So it's
important to be on the lookout and always stay protected, wherever you are.1
Insect repellents containing DEET and icaridin can be sprayed onto exposed skin
or clothing

Mosquito nets

Insecticide aerosols, mosquito coils and other insecticide vaporisers can

repel mosquitoes
Staying indoors with the air-conditioner turned on will lower the risk of
getting bitten
Mosquito nets can provide additional protection while sleeping
Empty or clean stagnant water inside and outside the home, e.g. plant pots or
pets' water bowls
Where dengue is a risk, wear clothing that minimises exposing the skin during
the day
Fit tight lids or mesh onto water storage containers and manage waste,
such as garbage that may collect water

Every minute, roughly

one person around
the world is
hospitalised for
severe dengue 2
6

Cover water
containers

MANAGING A DENGUE
INFECTION 1
1

REMEMBER,
QUICK DIAGNOSIS
AND MANAGEMENT
OF DENGUE AND
SEVERE DENGUE
CAN HELP to
SAVE LIVES1

See a doctor

It is up to all of us to be on the lookout

for dengue. If you or someone you know
becomes infected, stay calm and see a
doctor as soon as possible, as the doctor
may have suggestions that can
help recovery.

Follow medical advice

Please seek immediate

medical attention if you
notice11:

Resting and drinking plenty of fluids

are important and your doctor may
also suggest taking oral rehydration salts
to help prevent dehydration.
Paracetamol can help reduce pain
and fever but aspirin and ibuprofen
should not be taken as they can cause
or worsen bleeding associated with dengue.

Severe stomach pain or

ongoing vomiting
Red spots or patches on
the skin
Bleeding from nose or gums

Vomiting blood

Get emergency help, if necessary

Black, tarry stools (faeces)

Recognising dengue quickly can help

prevent severe dengue. Dealing with it
early could be life-saving. So if you think
you or someone you know has severe
dengue, please seek medical
help immediately.

Drowsiness or irritability
Pale, cold or clammy skin
Difficulty in breathing

KNOWING ABOUT DENGUE

CAN HELP SAVE LIVES
In 2015, the Ministry of Health
reported a total of 120,836
dengue cases which is the
highest figure ever recorded in
Malaysian history. In the same
year, 336 people died from
dengue and that's more than
double the figure from the
previous year.12

If you hear about people in your area with dengue

and you notice any symptoms in yourself or your family,
speak to your doctor immediately
find out what mr dengue is up to at

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MYMRDENGUE

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REFERENCES: [1] World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines 2009. Available at http://www.who.int/tdr/publications/documents/dengue-diagnosis.pdf. Last accessed 30 Dec 2015. [2] World Health Organization (WHO) Fact sheet number 117. Dengue and severe dengue. Available at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/
factsheets/fs117/en. Published 2015 Last accessed 30 Dec 2015. [3] CDC. Case definition: dengue. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/clinicalLab/clinical.
html. Last accessed 30 Dec 2015. [4] CDC. Aegypti Factsheet. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/resources/30Jan2012/aegyptifactsheet.pdf. Last accessed
30 Dec 2015. [5] CDC. Albopictus Factsheet. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/resources/30Jan2012/albopictusfactsheet.pdf. Last accessed 30 Dec 2015. [6]
National Environment Agency Aedes. Available at http://www.dengue.gov.sg/. Last accessed 30 Dec 2015. [7] CDC. Dengue chapter 3: Travelers health. Available
at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2016/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/dengue. Last accessed 30 Dec 2015. [8] Perez-Guera CL et al. Public Health
2009;25(3):218226. [9] IFPMA Case Study. Sanofi Pasteur dengue vaccine candidate. Available at http://www.ifpma.org/en/resources/case-studies/case-studydengue.html Published 2014. Last accessed 30 Dec 2015. [10] Koyadun S et al. Interdiscip Persp Infect Dis 2012;112. [11] CDC. Symptoms and Treatment.
Available at http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/symptoms/. Last accessed 30 Dec 2015. [12] Dengue deaths spike 56.3% in 2015 from year before. Available at http://www.
freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/01/06/dengue-deaths-spike-56-3-in-2015-from-year-before/. [13] Suaya JA et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2009;80(5):846
855. [14] NHS Choices. Dengue. Available at http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dengue/Pages/Treatment.aspx. Last accessed 30 Dec 2015.