June 15th is celebrated annually as International Dengue Day. This initiative was first established in 2010, and the first event was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2011. The goal of the event is to raise public awareness of Dengue fever, mobilize resources for its prevention and control, and demonstrate the commitment of the Southeast Asian region to combating the disease.
St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute, in collaboration with the Pasteur Network, conducts research on Dengue virus. In collaboration with the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang and the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, our teams perform the following: screening of vectors for Dengue virus; testing of sera from patients with suspected Dengue fever; typing and whole-genome sequencing of virus isolates.
These studies are part of a coordinated program of the Pasteur Network, which unites scientific institutions in the fight against infectious diseases.
Reference information: Dengue fever is an infection of concern transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes of the genus Aedes (primarily Aedes aegypti and, to a lesser extent, Aedes albopictus). It is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in Asia, Latin America, and the Indian Ocean islands. The disease can range from relatively mild forms to life-threatening conditions (Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Dengue shock syndrome). Reinfection with a different serotype of the virus significantly increases the risk of developing severe disease and complications.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for Dengue fever. Treatment is supportive and includes fluid replacement (oral or intravenous rehydration) and symptomatic treatment. Severe cases require hospitalization and possibly intensive care. Prevention includes vector control (eliminating mosquito breeding sites, using insecticides), protection from bites (wearing protective clothing, using repellents, mosquito nets, and fumigators), and maintaining hygiene.
In Russia, imported cases of Dengue fever are primarily reported among tourists visiting endemic countries. If symptoms appear after returning from a trip to tropical regions, consult a doctor immediately and report your stay in an endemic area.
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