A Review of Dengue Fever with Special Reference to Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction: Dengue is the most prevalent viral mosquito-borne disease, with over 2.5 billion humans at risk given its endemicity in more than 100 countries. Globally, 50-100 million cases of dengue occur annually, with approximately 0.7% resulting in dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), and 22,000 deaths. In 2017, there were 83,849 reported cases of dengue fever in endemic under-reported Malaysia, with 177 deaths. One of our authors (Verasingam K 2006) here, earlier published an article in the Med J Malaysia titled “Dengue Fever in Malaysia: Time for Review?” This Article is meant as a sequel. Method: The Authors here narrate from their own personal-experiences, as well as from reviewing existing-literature. Results and Conclusion: Clinical Management has brought about vast improvements in mortality and morbidity. Similarly, great advancements in Laboratory Diagnostics. Prevention and Control methods have been desiring of greater achievements, but also show greater promise with Newer Insecticides, Innovative Methods and Vaccines. Dengue Fever would very likely become near-eradicated just like all other vaccine-preventable diseases, once comprehensive mass-vaccination programmes are available globally, using safe and very-effective tetravalent-vaccines soon to be available.