Dengue outbreak toolbox

Dengue outbreak toolbox

Updated | September 2024

Welcome to the Dengue Outbreak toolbox

Key reference documents

 

 

Case definitions

Suspected case

Not applicable

Probable case (with or without warning signs1)
  • Any person with fever and two or more of the following: nausea/vomiting, rash, aches and pains, tourniquet test positive, leukopenia
  • Any person with fever and two or more of the following: (nausea/vomiting, rash, aches and pains, tourniquet test positive, leukopenia) and any warning sign.
    • Confirmed case
  • A probable case with laboratory confirmation:

    • 1. Highly suggestive

    • Immunoglobulin M (IgM) positive in a single serum sample
    • Immunoglobulin G (IgG) positive in a single serum sample with a house index (HI) titre of 1280 or
      greater
    • detection of viral antigen NS1+ in a single serum sample (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
      (ELISA) or rapid tests)

    2. Confirmed

    • polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive
    • virus culture positive
    • IgM seroconversion in paired sera
    • IgG seroconversion in paired sera or fourfold IgG titre increased in paired sera

     

    Severe dengue case

    Suspected dengue with one or more of the following: severe plasma leakage, leading to dengue shock syndrome, fluid accumulation with respiratory distress; severe bleeding, as evaluated by clinician; severe organ involvement, such as liver (aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation > 1000), central nervous system (impaired consciousness) or heart and other organs.

    Source of definition: Chapter 3: Outbreak alert and outbreak detection Technical handbook for dengue surveillance, outbreak prediction/detection and outbreak response (Geneva: World Health Organisation; 2016) Pg 19 - 26

    1. Requiring strict observation and medical intervention. Warning signs may include abdominal pain or tenderness, persistent vomiting, clinical fluid accumulation, mucosal bleeding, lethargy, restlessness, liver enlargement >2 cm, or increase in haematocrit with rapid decrease in platelet count.

     

    Data collection tools

    • Case investigation form: No available
    • Line list: Not available. 
    • Electronic tools: Not available.

    Laboratory confirmation

    Response tools and resources

    Other resources