The International Society for Neglected Tropical Diseases (ISNTD) and Break Dengue (BD) have joined forces to form a global collective with the clear goal of reducing the burden of dengue around the world and devising ambitious action plans and collaborations to contribute to the fight against dengue in communities and countries where dengue is a public health concern.

Image/ISNTD
Image/ISNTD

Now, this collective is spearheading the call for a World Dengue Day with an Open Letter to the United Nations General Assembly, which will be presented at the 74th UNGA on September 17-30th 2019 in New York.

Add your name to the Open Letter to the United Nations General Assembly calling for a World Dengue Day

Also, join this global movement and:

• share your story and how dengue affects you whether as a patient, healthcare professional, carer or other

• receive our Monthly Global Newsletter and track the progress of the World Dengue Day petition

• discover recent research and thought leadership on dengue from around the world in our 360° dengue series

According to the World Health Organization, Dengue is fast emerging pandemic-prone viral disease in many parts of the world. Dengue flourishes in urban poor areas, suburbs and the countryside but also affects more affluent neighborhoods in tropical and subtropical countries.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness and, sometimes causing a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue. The incidence of dengue has increased 30-fold over the last 50 years. Up to 50-100 million infections are now estimated to occur annually in over 100 endemic countries, putting almost half of the world’s population at risk.

ISNTD says dengue fever has the potential to affect the health and economic futures of nearly 3.5 billion people across the world – with endemic regions such as Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia particularly affected.

These detrimental health consequences have a spill over effect on the economic progress of families and communities, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. In short, dengue fever is inextricably linked to child health, poverty and inequality; and our effort to formulate a comprehensive, holistic solution which includes vector control, disease surveillance, patient advocacy, HCP and NGO involvement, innovative and intensified disease management, preventive chemotherapy, vector ecology and management, veterinary public-health services, and the provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene.