Do you know if you’re at risk when it comes to dengue?
About half the world’s population is now vulnerable to dengue infection.1 However, the risk of getting ill from dengue, or of an existing dengue infection becoming more severe, depends on many factors.1-3 Let’s consider some of these below.
Risk factors for dengue
 | 1. Pre-existing conditions If you already have certain ongoing or pre-existing conditions at the time you become infected with dengue, there is a higher chance of it progressing to a more severe infection.2 These conditions include diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease.2 Find out why pre-existing conditions can increase your ‘dengue risk’ here. |
| 2. Age Old age can increase the risk of severe dengue outcomes.4 On the other hand, young children can be at greater risk of developing severe dengue and complications than healthy adults.5 Learn more about how your age might impact your risk of dengue. |
| 3. Weight Obesity has been linked to longer hospital stays for patients with dengue.6 Scientists believe that obesity can weaken the immune system’s response to infections such as dengue.6 |
 | 4. Reinfection There are four different strains of the dengue virus. This means you can be infected more than once (but with a different strain).7 In fact, a second infection with a different strain is more likely to cause severe dengue symptoms than the first infection.7 |
References
World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue. Accessed December 2023.
Sangkaew S, et al. Lancet Infect Dis. 2021;21(7):1014-1026.
Wilder-Smith A. 2012;32 Suppl 1(s1):28-32.
Huang N, et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2023;29(8):1701-1702.
UNICEF. Available at: Available at: https://www.unicef.org/rosa/stories/dengue-how-keep-children-safe. Accessed November 2023.
Tan VPK, et al. PLoS One. 2018;13(7):e0200698.
Soo KM, et al. PLoS One. 2016;11(5):e0154760.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/transmission/index.html. Accessed December 2023.
NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dengue/. Accessed December 2023.
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Available at: https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/research/centres/centre-climate-change-and-planetary-health/infectious-diseases. Accessed December 2023.
Nakase T, et al. Sci Data. 2023;10(1):275.
Man O, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2023;17(6):e0011333.
Overgaard HJ, et al. Parasit Vectors. 2017;10(1):356.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/dengue. Accessed December 2023.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/symptoms/index.html. Accessed November 2023.
If travelling abroad, consider extra risk factors at your destination
Dengue is spread to people through the bites of infected Aedes species mosquitoes.1,8 Your dengue risk when you travel will depend on various factors.3
 | 1. Destination Dengue can be widespread in areas with warm and humid climates such as parts of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Central/South America, as these conditions suit mosquitoes.9,10 However, dengue is becoming more common in parts of Europe and North America too.1,11 |
 | 2. Your surroundings Though originally considered an urban disease, people can also be infected with dengue in rural areas too.12,13 |
 | 3. The time of day you are out Dengue carrying mosquitoes mainly bite during the day (but they can also be active at night).14 |
 | 4. How long you stay at your destination Staying for longer at your destination means a higher chance of being exposed to dengue-carrying mosquitoes.3 |
Adding up the risks
Most of the time, dengue tends to be a mild disease: 1 in 4 or so, of people who are infected experience symptoms.1,15 However, about 1 in 20 of the people who do experience symptoms can have their infection progress to severe dengue which is a life-threatening medical emergency.5,15
For additional information on dengue risk factors, check out the risk tool here.
Remember though, this tool is not a substitute for medical advice – you should consult your doctor if you want a personal risk assessment.
References
World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue. Accessed December 2023.
Sangkaew S, et al. Lancet Infect Dis. 2021;21(7):1014-1026.
Wilder-Smith A. 2012;32 Suppl 1(s1):28-32.
Huang N, et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2023;29(8):1701-1702.
UNICEF. Available at: Available at: https://www.unicef.org/rosa/stories/dengue-how-keep-children-safe. Accessed November 2023.
Tan VPK, et al. PLoS One. 2018;13(7):e0200698.
Soo KM, et al. PLoS One. 2016;11(5):e0154760.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/transmission/index.html. Accessed December 2023.
NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dengue/. Accessed December 2023.
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Available at: https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/research/centres/centre-climate-change-and-planetary-health/infectious-diseases. Accessed December 2023.
Nakase T, et al. Sci Data. 2023;10(1):275.
Man O, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2023;17(6):e0011333.
Overgaard HJ, et al. Parasit Vectors. 2017;10(1):356.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/dengue. Accessed December 2023.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/symptoms/index.html. Accessed November 2023.
It’s time to talk about dengue
With dengue cases rising and no specific cure available, prevention is key1,2
Learn how to help protect yourself from mosquito bites and from dengue.
Contact your local health expert to talk about how to help prevent dengue.
- World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue. Accessed February 2024.
- World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2023-DON498#. Accessed February 2024.
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Test your knowledge of dengue!
Can bites from male or female dengue-carrying mosquitoes infect humans?
Correct
Male mosquitoes feed on flower nectar and fruit juices and not blood.1 Only female mosquitoes feed on hosts such as humans, whose blood provides the protein they need to help their eggs develop.1
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you suspect you have symptoms of dengue or have questions about your risk.
Learn more about dengue.
The National Environment Agency. Vector Borne Diseases. Available at: https://www.nea.gov.sg/corporate-functions/resources/research/wolbachia-aedes-mosquito-suppression-strategy/male-mosquitoes-do-not-bite. Accessed January 2024.
Incorrect
Diseases such as dengue are not spread to humans by the bites of male Aedes mosquitoes; in fact, they don’t even bite humans.1 Only female mosquitoes feed on hosts such as humans, whose blood provides the protein they need to help their eggs develop.1
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you suspect you have symptoms of dengue or have questions about your risk.
Learn more about dengue or try again!
The National Environment Agency. Vector Borne Diseases. Available at: https://www.nea.gov.sg/corporate-functions/resources/research/wolbachia-aedes-mosquito-suppression-strategy/male-mosquitoes-do-not-bite. Accessed January 2024.
Explore our resources to learn more about the risk of dengue and how you could help protect yourself and your loved ones
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