A dengue epidemic occurs when a large outbreak of dengue fever infects thousands of people, causing a public health concern.

In 1779-1780, descriptions of dengue fever began to emerge out of Asia, Africa and North America, and the first reports of dengue epidemics emerged. Following World War II, a pandemic of dengue fever began in southeast Asia, and has spread around the world since.CDC: Dengue Fever Fact Sheet

In the 19th century, outbreaks of dengue fever occurred sporadically, stemming from transportation limitations and travel restrictions. Over the past 50 years, dengue fever outbreaks have increased thirtyfold.WHO: Impact of Dengue

• 1980s: Taiwan Asia, People's Republic of China, Sri Lanka, India, Maldive IslandsCDC: Dengue/Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever: The Emergence of a Global Health Problem
• 1994: PakistanCDC: Dengue/Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever: The Emergence of a Global Health Problem
• 1981: CubaCDC: Dengue/Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever: The Emergence of a Global Health Problem
• 1985: Hainan IslandCDC: Dengue/Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever: The Emergence of a Global Health Problem
• 1990-1994: SingaporeCDC: Dengue/Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever: The Emergence of a Global Health Problem
• 2008: Brazil

Dengue fever is an infectious disease that can be caused by four serotypes of Flavivirus, a genus of virus transmitted via mosquito bites.CDC: Dengue Fever Fact Sheet Mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person with the virus, then spread the disease when they bite a new victim. Because the illness can be caused by any of the four serotypes of the virus, it is possible to fall ill with dengue fever multiple times.

Dengue fever is most common in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Outbreaks of dengue fever usually occur in the rainy season.CDC: Dengue Fever Fact Sheet

It is rare for someone to get dengue fever in the United States, but the risk is increasing for persons living in the south states, especially along the Texas-Mexico border. Over the course of 17 years (1977-1994), there were 2,248 cases of dengue fever reported in the United States that were suspected to have been imported.CDC: Dengue/Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever: The Emergence of a Global Health Problem

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a physician for information on the dengue epidemic.