The Epidemiology of Dengue Fever with Special Reference to Malaysia- Emphasizing Prevention and Control
A. M. Meer Ahmad *
Department of Community Medicine, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610 Jenjarom, Selangor, Malaysia.
C. A. Koay
MOZFREE (M) Sdn Bhd, Subang Jaya, Malaysia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: Dengue is the most prevalent viral mosquito-borne disease, with over 2.5 billion humans at risk given its endemicity in not less than 100 countries.
Globally, 50-100 million cases of dengue is seen annually, with approximately 0.7% resulting in Dengue Hemorrhagic 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.
Method: The Authors here narrate from their own personal-experiences, besides reviewing existing-literature.
Results and Conclusion: 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 programs are available globally, using safe and very-effective tetravalent-vaccines soon to be available.
Keywords: Dengue fever, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF), epidemiology, prevention and control, insect repellents, mosquito nets, dengue vaccines, insecticides, insecticides (primary water-source larviciding), insecticide (aerial-spraying).