Dengue fever, also known as breakbonefever, is a mosquito-borne infection that causes a severe flu-like illness. There are four different viruses that can causedengue fever, all of which spread by a certain type of mosquitoDengue fever(UK/de/orUS/di/), also known asbreakbone fever, is amosquito-bornetropical diseasecaused by thedengue virus. Symptoms includefever,headache,muscleandjoint pains, and a characteristicskin rashthat issimilar to measles. In a small proportion of cases the disease develops into the life-threateningdengue hemorrhagic fever, resulting inbleeding,low levels of blood plateletsand blood plasma leakage, or intodengue shock syndrome, wheredangerously low blood pressureoccurs.Dengue is transmitted by several species ofmosquitowithin thegenusAedes, principallyA. aegypti. The virus has five different types;[1]infection with one type usually gives lifelongimmunityto that type, but only short-term immunity to the others. Subsequent infection with a different type increases the risk of severe complications. As there is no commercially availablevaccine, prevention is sought by reducing the habitat and the number of mosquitoes and limiting exposure to bites.Treatment of acute dengue is supportive, using either oral or intravenousrehydrationfor mild or moderate disease, andintravenous fluidsandblood transfusionfor more severe cases. The number of cases of dengue fever has increased dramatically since the 1960s, with between 50 and 528million people infected yearly.[2][3]Early descriptions of the condition date from 1779, and its viral cause and the transmission were figured out in the early 20th century. Dengue has become a global problem since theSecond World Warand isendemicin more than 110countries. Apart from eliminating the mosquitoes, work is ongoing on a vaccine, as well as medication targeted directly at the virus.Contents