A Project by: Keeon Allen 1

MARGIE'S TRAVEL

M
Heath and PE1: 3rdBlock
Dengue Fever
 2

What is Dengue Fever?

• Dengue Fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease occurring in tropical and subtropical areas.
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

M
 3

Where (Geographically/population Demographic) does this

dieses most likely occur and why?
• Dengue has emerged as a worldwide problem since the 1950s. Although, Dengue rarely
occurs in the United States, it’s a endemic in Puerto Rico and in many popular tourist
destinations in Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands. Many parts of the
tropics and subtropics dengue occurs every year, usually during a season when Aedes
mosquito populations are high. Rainfall is a common occurance creating a optimal
environment for breeding.
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

M
 4

What is the Pathogen? Method of transmission? What

are the signs and symptoms of Dengue Fever.
• Dengue fever (DF) is caused by any of four closely
related viruses, or serotypes: dengue 1-4. Infection
with one serotype does not protect against the others, The principal symptoms of dengue are:
and sequential infections put people at greater risk for • Severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting
Dengue Hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock
syndrome (DSS). Dengue is transmitted between • Red spots or patches on the skin
people by the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes • Bleeding from nose or gums
albopictus, which are found throughout the world.
Insects that transmit disease are vectors. Symptoms of • Vomiting blood
infection usually begin 4 to 7 days after the mosquito • Black, tarry stools (feces, excrement)
bite and typically last 3 to 10 days. In order for
transmission to occur the mosquito must feed on a • Drowsiness or irritability
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

person during a 5- day period when large amounts of • Pale, cold, or clammy skin
virus are in the blood; this period usually begins a little
before the person become symptomatic. Some people • Difficulty breathing
never have significant symptoms but can still infect • High fever and at least two of the following:
mosquitoes. After entering the mosquito in the blood
meal, the virus will require an additional 8 to12 days • Severe headache
incubation before it can then be transmitted to another • Severe eye pain (behind eyes)
human. The mosquito remains infected for the
remainder of its life, which might be days or a few • Joint pain
weeks. • Muscle and/or bone pain
• Rash
• Mild bleeding manifestation (e.g., nose or gum bleed, petechiae, or easy
bruising)

M
• Low white cell count
 5

How Does the Dengue Affect the Body?

• The virus infects your blood and causes a migraine-like headache, rash, achiness,
queasiness, tiredness and fever. It can affect the blood, causing mild bleeding of the gums,
and you may bruise easily.
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

M
 6

Can you prevent this disease?

• There is no vaccine available against dengue, and there are no specific medications to treat
a dengue infection. The best way to reduce mosquitoes is to eliminate the places where the
mosquito lays her eggs, like artificial containers that hold water in and around the homes
makes prevention the most important step, and prevention means avoiding mosquito bites.
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

M
 7

Vaccine/Treatment/Cure/Lifestyle
• No existing Vaccine, treatment ,or cure…..
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

M
 8

Is Dengue Fatal? What is the morality rate? How does this

disease kill its host?
• Yes Dengue fever is fatal. Dengue fever is typically a self-limiting disease with a mortality rate
of less than 1%. When treated, dengue hemorrhagic fever has a mortality rate of 2-5%. When
left untreated, dengue hemorrhagic fever has a it mortality rate as high as 50%. The diseases
doesn’t kill, but if its untreated the symptoms will. Symptoms like seizures, brain damage,
heart damage, blood clots, shock, damage to the liver and lungs can occur.
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

M
 9

Where can someone find reliable information on

Dengue Fever?
• https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/pubsrel/index.html
• http://www.ajtmh.org/content/journals/10.4269/ajtmh.2009.81.100
• http://www.bioone.org/doi/pdf/10.2987/08-5782.1
MARGIE'S TRAVEL