Dengue outbreak response

Dengue outbreak response

© WHO / Yoshi Shimizu
Community health workers wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) spraying insecticide to control mosquito larvae in the communities of Tuvalu.
© Credits

Dengue infections have become a growing global public health concern in recent months. In December 2023, WHO assessed the global risk level as high and brought attention to preparedness and response actions needed. Data from the Western Pacific Region show an escalation in dengue outbreaks, both in endemic areas and beyond. Since January 2024, several countries have reported a rise in dengue. For more details, read WHO’s bi-weekly dengue situation reports for the Region.

The expansion of dengue viruses (four serotypes) beyond endemic transmission areas presents additional challenges. A significant population remains immunologically naïve to the circulating viruses, increasing the risk of outbreaks. Moreover, people living in areas with geographic expansion of dengue might lack awareness of early symptoms of dengue infection, particularly severe disease warning signs, leading to potential delays in seeking timely health care. Other challenges include difficulty in accessing basic healthcare and clinical management services, stockouts of essential laboratory diagnostic supplies, limited prevention and vector control tools and a significant shortage of trained healthcare workers.   

WHO’s response in the Region

WHO has worked with Ministries of Health in the Region to identify and implement priority interventions. Interventions are tailored to national disease trends and align with country capacities. They include:

  • developing national response plans that incorporate effective surveillance, case management, vector control, and risk communication strategies;
  • training healthcare workers, particularly primary healthcare workers, in surveillance and clinical case management to minimize complications and death;
  • supporting integrated mosquito control programmes through intersectoral collaboration and community engagement;
  • engaging communities to co-develop and co-implement robust action plans; and
  • responding to outbreaks by providing technical assistance, essential supplies and logistical support.
Dengue infections are a growing global public health concern
The Western Pacific Region is seeing an escalation in dengue outbreaks
WHO is responding to the dengue outbreak in the Western Pacific Region