From the Guidelines
Dengue fever is not directly contagious from person to person. The primary mode of transmission is through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, primarily Aedes aegypti, as stated in the study published in 2019 1. This means that the disease cannot spread through direct contact, coughing, sneezing, or touching infected surfaces. Instead, the transmission cycle occurs when a mosquito bites a person infected with dengue virus, the virus replicates within the mosquito for 8-12 days, and then the infected mosquito bites another person, introducing the virus into their bloodstream.
Key Points to Consider
- Dengue virus transmission requires a mosquito vector, specifically the Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquito 1.
- The disease can spread within communities as mosquitoes bite multiple people in areas with dengue-infected individuals and Aedes mosquitoes.
- Prevention focuses on mosquito control measures such as eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed, using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and using bed nets.
Implications for Morbidity, Mortality, and Quality of Life
The fact that dengue fever is not directly contagious from person to person has significant implications for morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. According to the study published in 2019 1, certain patients with dengue will progress to potentially fatal severe dengue, for which appropriate clinical management can reduce the case-fatality rate among hospitalized patients to <0.5%. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize mosquito control measures and prevent the spread of the disease through mosquito bites, rather than isolating infected individuals.
From the Research
Dengue Contagiousness
- Dengue fever is not directly contagious from person to person, but it can be spread through the bite of an infected mosquito 2, 3.
- The primary mode of transmission is through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which can carry the dengue virus and transmit it to humans 2, 4.
- There is no evidence to suggest that dengue can be spread through direct contact with an infected person, such as touching or shaking hands 4, 5.
- However, it is possible for dengue to be transmitted through blood transfusions or organ donations from an infected person, although this is rare 6.
- The virus can also be transmitted vertically from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth, especially if the mother has a severe case of dengue hemorrhagic fever 5.