Dengue Reemergence: The Challenges Ahead

Abstract

The global expansion of competent Dengue vectors in tropical and sub-tropical areas, and the favorable conditions for disease transmission demonstrates a critical public health challenge ahead. This review provides an insight into some key underlying gaps while attempting to suggest alternatives towards the containment and hence eradication of Dengue. The non-existence of an efficient vaccine against all DENV serotypes and the rapid global emergence of COVID-19, are undermining the complexities of vaccine development and disrupting global health efforts for the management of Dengue respectively. The development of sustainable DENV control programs now requires a multifaceted approach involving the integration of the recently developed multi-platforms application in entomological surveillance, community awareness, modelling, vaccination, vector control, and also ensuring that Dengue control efforts are not hampered or neglected during COVID-19 pandemic. This approach requires active collaboration and communication of scientists from various disciplines, economic support from funding agencies and institutions as well as support from the communities, governments and public health organizations.