Dengue – World Health Organization (WHO)

Report on Dengue Fever: A Global Health Challenge in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral infection, represents a significant and escalating global health threat. With an estimated 100–400 million infections annually, the disease disproportionately affects tropical and sub-tropical regions, placing approximately half of the world’s population at risk. The rising incidence of Dengue is intrinsically linked to major global challenges, directly impeding progress towards several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report outlines the nature of the disease, its global burden, and prevention strategies, with a specific focus on its intersection with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Effective control of Dengue requires an integrated approach that addresses public health, environmental management, and international cooperation, aligning with the broader 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Dengue Fever: Clinical Profile and Public Health Implications

Overview and Symptoms

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. While many infections are asymptomatic, symptomatic cases typically present with high fever, severe headache, body aches, nausea, and rash. A small percentage of cases progress to severe Dengue, a life-threatening condition requiring hospitalization. The absence of a specific treatment underscores the critical importance of early detection and access to quality medical care, a core target of SDG 3. The progression to severe Dengue poses a significant challenge to health systems, particularly in low-resource settings.

• Common Symptoms: High fever (40°C/104°F), severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, rash.
• Severe Dengue Symptoms: Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums or nose, fatigue, blood in vomit or stool, pale and cold skin.

Diagnostics and Treatment

Effective management of Dengue relies on accurate diagnostics and supportive care. There is no specific antiviral treatment; patient care focuses on managing symptoms, primarily with analgesics like paracetamol. The avoidance of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is crucial to prevent bleeding complications. Disparities in laboratory capabilities worldwide hinder effective surveillance and case management, highlighting the need for strengthening health infrastructure in line with SDG 3. Hospitalization for severe cases is often necessary to manage complications and reduce fatality rates.

The Global Burden of Dengue and Its Link to SDGs

Epidemiological Trends

The incidence of Dengue has increased dramatically, with reported cases to the WHO rising from approximately 505,000 in 2000 to over 14.6 million in 2024. This surge reflects a true increase in disease burden and expansion into new geographical areas, including parts of Europe. This trend poses a direct threat to global health security and the achievement of SDG 3.

1. 2000: 505,430 cases reported to WHO.
2. 2024: Over 14.6 million cases and 12,000 deaths reported.
3. At-Risk Population: An estimated 5.6 billion people are at risk of infection.

Risk Factors and Connection to Sustainable Development

The spread of Dengue is driven by a complex interplay of environmental and social factors that are central to the SDGs.

• Climate Change (SDG 13): Rising temperatures, increased rainfall, and higher humidity expand the habitat of Aedes mosquitoes, facilitating the virus’s spread to new regions and lengthening transmission seasons. Addressing climate change is therefore a critical long-term strategy for Dengue control.
• Urbanization (SDG 11): Rapid and unplanned urbanization creates ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. High population density, inadequate water storage practices, and improper waste management contribute directly to vector proliferation. Achieving SDG 11, which aims to make cities safe, resilient, and sustainable, is essential for controlling vector-borne diseases like Dengue.
• Water and Sanitation (SDG 6): The practice of storing water in domestic containers due to unreliable water supplies provides breeding sites for mosquitoes. Improving access to safe and continuous water supplies is a key public health intervention.

Integrated Strategies for Prevention and Control: Advancing the SDGs

Vector Control and Environmental Management

The primary strategy for Dengue prevention is controlling the mosquito vector. This approach directly supports multiple SDGs.

• Achieving SDG 11: Implementing environmental management, such as proper solid waste disposal and eliminating artificial water-holding habitats, contributes to creating healthier and more sustainable urban environments.
• Supporting SDG 6: Covering, emptying, and cleaning domestic water storage containers on a weekly basis is a crucial community action that aligns with safe water management practices.

Personal Protection and Clinical Preparedness

Empowering individuals and strengthening health systems are fundamental to reducing the Dengue burden, directly contributing to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

• Individual Measures: Use of personal repellents, wearing protective clothing, and using mosquito nets.
• Health System Strengthening: Ensuring early diagnosis and access to proper medical care to lower fatality rates from severe Dengue.
• Vaccination: The availability of a licensed vaccine for specific age groups in high-transmission settings represents a key tool, and ongoing research for additional vaccines is vital for future control efforts.

Global Response and Collaborative Efforts

The Role of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The WHO’s response to Dengue exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Tackling a global threat like Dengue requires coordinated international action. WHO’s key activities include:

1. Supporting countries in outbreak confirmation and management.
2. Providing technical guidance and training on clinical management, diagnosis, and vector control.
3. Formulating evidence-based strategies, such as the Global Vector Control Response (2017–2030).
4. Improving surveillance and reporting systems to capture the true disease burden.
5. Facilitating the development of new tools, including insecticides and vaccines.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The entire article is centered on Dengue, a viral infection that poses a significant global health risk. It discusses the disease’s symptoms, transmission, treatment, and the dramatic increase in its global burden, directly addressing the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article explicitly links Dengue transmission to urban environments. It states that the disease is “mostly in urban and semi-urban areas” and that “Urbanization (especially rapid, unplanned urbanization), is associated with dengue transmission.” It also highlights prevention methods related to urban living, such as proper solid waste disposal and management of domestic water storage containers, which are key aspects of sustainable city management.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article identifies climate change as a major factor in the spread of Dengue. It notes that “climate change leading to increasing temperatures, high rainfall and humidity” is associated with the increasing risk of the epidemic. This connects the health crisis of Dengue directly to the urgent need for climate action and adapting to its impacts.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The “WHO response” section details a global partnership in action. It describes how the World Health Organization supports countries through technical advice, improving reporting systems, providing training, and formulating evidence-based strategies. This collaboration is essential for managing a global health threat like Dengue and aligns with the goal of strengthening global partnerships for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
     
     The article focuses on Dengue, which is classified as a neglected tropical disease. The text highlights the dramatic growth in its incidence, from “505,430 cases in 2000 to 14.6 million in 2024,” underscoring the urgent need to control and end this epidemic.
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
     
     The article points to “limitations in surveillance and reporting” and “fragile and overburdened health systems” as factors in the spread of Dengue. The WHO’s response, which includes supporting countries to “improve their reporting systems” and providing “technical advice and guidance… for the effective management of dengue outbreaks,” directly addresses this target.
2. Under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
     
     The article’s prevention and control section advises to “dispose of solid waste properly and remove artificial habitats that can hold water” and to “cover, empty and clean domestic water storage containers on a weekly basis.” These actions are directly related to municipal waste and water management in urban settings to control mosquito breeding sites.
3. Under SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
     
     The article links the spread of Dengue to climate change factors like rising temperatures and rainfall. It also notes the disease is “spreading to new areas, including the European and Eastern Mediterranean regions.” This illustrates a climate-related health hazard, and efforts to control the disease are a form of building resilience and adapting to the health impacts of climate change.
4. Under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources.
     
     The WHO’s comprehensive response described in the article is a clear example of this target. The WHO supports countries by sharing knowledge (publishing guidance and handbooks), expertise (providing technical advice and training), and strengthening global networks (“collaborating network of laboratories”) to combat Dengue.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG Target 3.3:
   • Indicator: Incidence of Dengue. The article provides explicit data that can be used as an indicator: “the number of cases reported to WHO increasing from 505,430 cases in 2000 to 14.6 million in 2024.” It also reports “over 12,000 dengue-related deaths reported” in 2024. Tracking these numbers measures progress toward ending the epidemic.
2. For SDG Target 3.d:
   • Indicator (Implied): Strength of national disease surveillance and reporting systems. The article implies this indicator by stating that “the actual numbers of dengue cases are under-reported” and that WHO supports countries to “improve their reporting systems and capture the true burden of the disease.” An improvement in reporting accuracy would measure progress.
3. For SDG Target 11.6:
   • Indicator (Implied): Implementation of vector control measures related to waste and water management. The article suggests prevention methods like proper solid waste disposal and cleaning water containers. The adoption rate and effectiveness of these community-level practices in urban areas can serve as an indicator for reducing the environmental impact and health risks in cities.
4. For SDG Target 13.1:
   • Indicator: Geographical distribution of vector-borne diseases. The article states that “Dengue is spreading to new areas, including the European and Eastern Mediterranean regions,” with specific case numbers reported in France, Italy, and Spain. Monitoring the expansion or containment of the disease’s geographical range serves as an indicator of adaptive capacity to climate-related health risks.
5. For SDG Target 17.16:
   • Indicator (Implied): Level of international support for disease control. The list of WHO’s actions—providing technical advice, training, formulating strategies, and publishing guidance for Member States—can be quantified to measure the scale and impact of the global partnership in addressing Dengue.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: who.int