Dengue

Definition

A mosquito-borne viral disease caused by dengue virus (genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae), transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The disease ranges from asymptomatic or mild febrile illness to severe dengue with hemorrhagic manifestations, plasma leakage, and shock. Dengue is endemic throughout tropical and subtropical regions and represents a major focus of vector control programs in medical entomology.

Etymology

From Spanish, possibly derived from Swahili 'dinga' meaning 'seizure' or 'cramp', referring to the severe joint pain characteristic of the disease.

Example

Field entomologists monitor Aedes aegypti larval habitats in urban containers to predict and prevent dengue outbreaks during the wet season.

Synonyms

• dengue fever
• breakbone fever

Related Terms

• Aedes
• vector-borne disease
• flavivirus
• Arbovirus
• vector control
• medical entomology
• hemorrhagic fever
• mosquito-borne disease

Usage Notes

The term 'dengue' alone is now preferred in medical and epidemiological literature over 'dengue fever,' as the disease spectrum includes asymptomatic and severe non-febrile presentations. 'Breakbone fever' refers colloquially to the intense myalgia and arthralgia. Distinguished from malaria (Plasmodium protozoan, Anopheles vectors) and yellow fever (another flavivirus but with different clinical course and vaccine availability).