0
0
“One World Against Dengue”
World Dengue Day is observed each year on 15 June to raise awareness of dengue, a neglected tropical disease and one of the fastest-spreading infectious conditions worldwide.
Key facts about dengue
- Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV), which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.
- Approximately 5.6 billion people, more than half of the world’s population, are at risk of dengue, with an estimated 100–400 million infections occurring each year.
- Dengue is mainly prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, particularly in urban and semi-urban settings, but is currently expanding to temperate areas.
- While many DENV infections are asymptomatic or cause only mild illness, some can progress to severe dengue and even result in death.
- Prevention and control of dengue primarily rely on vector control. Although there is no specific treatment for dengue or severe dengue, early detection and access to appropriate medical care significantly reduce the risk of severe outcomes and death.
About World Dengue Day
This is the context in which World Dengue Day 2026 takes place. It is not simply a moment for advocacy but also an
opportunity to align efforts and messaging internationally. As dengue expands faster than our response, the global
community must come together with renewed urgency under one shared banner: One World Against Dengue.
World Dengue Day 2026 is a critical opportunity to:
• Raise the profile of dengue as a global health emergency, not just a regional burden
• Build political and financial momentum for sustained investment in prevention, surveillance, and new tools
• Translate the risk and impact of dengue into human stories and put these stories at the forefront of messaging
• Celebrate innovation and advocate for equitable access
• Connect the dengue response to the climate, urbanization and global security agendas, framing
dengue as a clear and present consequence of a changing world
World Dengue Day is observed annually on June 15. It is a global moment to raise awareness, mobilise action,
and unite governments, researchers, health professionals, and communities in the fight against one of the world’s
fastest-spreading infectious diseases. The day was born as ASEAN Dengue Day in 2011 and has since expanded
into a truly global platform; a reflection of how far dengue itself has spread.
Theme Pillars
Dengue does not respect borders. As the disease expands into new geographies driven by climate change,
urbanisation, and global travel, the response must be equally borderless. The 2026 theme calls on the entire
global community across sectors, disciplines, and continents to act as one.
➢ One World
Dengue, the world’s fastest-growing mosquito-borne diseases, is no longer confined to one region: it is a
global challenge affecting countries across every continent. Standing together strengthens our ability to
anticipate, prevent, and respond to outbreaks.
➢ Against Dengue
A united global effort can slow the spread, protect communities, and reduce the burden on health
systems. Coordinated action across sectors – science, policy, environment, and community – is essential.
➢ Together We Can Act
From local clean-ups to national surveillance systems, every contribution matters. Coordinated and
collective action builds resilience, saves lives, and helps communities anticipate and prepare for the
dengue risk within changing climates.
Priority Fact Points for Communications & Advocacy
The Global Picture
• Dengue is rising faster than ever. Global dengue cases have increased more than eight-fold over the past
two decades, making it one of the fastest-spreading mosquito-borne diseases in the world.
• Half of the world’s population is now at risk. More than 4 billion people live in areas where dengue can
spread, from major cities to rural communities.
• Dengue is no longer a tropical disease. Climate change is expanding the range of Aedes mosquitoes into
new regions, including parts of Europe, the southern United States, and South America.
Impact on Health
• Children, the elderly and those with comorbidities are especially vulnerable. In many endemic
countries, severe dengue is a leading cause of hospitalisation among children during peak season.
• Outbreaks are becoming bigger and more frequent. Many countries now face annual outbreaks, with
multiple dengue serotypes circulating at the same time, increasing the risk of severe illness.
• Urban areas are hotspots. Overcrowding, poor waste management, and water storage challenges create
ideal breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes.
Economic & Social Impact
• Dengue places a heavy burden on families. Costs include hospital care, lost wages, school
absenteeism, and long recovery periods, pushing vulnerable households deeper into financial strain.
• Health systems are under pressure. During major outbreaks, hospitals often exceed capacity, leading to
delays in care and increased mortality.
What Works
• Community action can substantially cut dengue. Removing standing water, covering containers, improving
waste management, and mobilising neighbourhoods can reduce transmission dramatically in high-risk areas.
• Integrated vector control is essential. Combining environmental management, targeted insecticide use,
and community engagement is far more effective than isolated interventions.
• Early warning systems save lives. Climate-informed surveillance can predict outbreaks weeks in
advance, allowing countries to act earlier and reduce severe disease.
• New tools are emerging. Innovations such as Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, improved diagnostics,
and both existing and next-generation vaccines offer promising new layers of protection when used
responsibly and strategically. Research is progressing towards a better understanding of dengue’s
spread and impact on immunity, as well as a dengue treatment.
Why This Matters for World Dengue Day
World Dengue Day is a moment to unite countries, communities, and partners behind a shared goal: protecting
people everywhere from a rapidly expanding threat.
Calls to Action
World Dengue Day offers a unique annual opportunity to call for action, a moment for the world to come together,
raise awareness, and push for stronger prevention, better preparedness, and more coordinated responses to a
rapidly expanding threat. Some suggested calls to action, which are tailored to each organisation’s and
individual’s position are included below.
➢ Strengthen preparedness and protect progress
Support countries in scaling surveillance, vector control, diagnostics, and community-level prevention
especially in newly affected regions. Leadership and deep experience of historically endemic countries
are among our most powerful assets.
➢ Invest in innovation
Champion new tools: improved diagnostics, next-generation vector control, vaccines, and
climate-informed early warning systems. Support the trailblazers which have shaped and delivered the
existing tools in the toolbox.
➢ Support integrated, community-centred approaches
Embed dengue prevention into schools, primary health care, environmental management, and local
planning. Support capacity building in healthcare and vector control, as well as those at the forefront of
community engagement and stakeholder outreach.
➢ Mobilise new partners and resources
Engage cities, youth networks, private sector actors, and climate-focused organisations to expand the
movement.
➢ Celebrate leadership and share solutions
Highlight countries, cities, organizations and communities that are innovating and adapting and use their
stories to inspire global action.
Public Engagement Message
World Dengue Day is a moment for everyone to take part. Whether you organise a school activity, a community
clean-up, a local event, or an online campaign, your actions help raise awareness and protect communities.
Share your plans, photos, or stories, we – the World Dengue Day community – will amplify them and make
everyone’s efforts part of the global movement.
WHO response to dengue
WHO works with Member States and partners to:
- Support countries in monitoring epidemiological trends and confirming outbreaks through its collaborating network of laboratories.
- Provide technical advice and guidance for the effective prevention, management and control of dengue.
- Strengthen national surveillance and reporting systems to better capture the true burden of the disease.
- Deliver training on clinical management, diagnosis and vector control at both country and regional levels.
- Formulate evidence-based strategies and policies.
- Support countries in developing and implementing prevention and control strategies, including adoption of the Global Vector Control Response (2017–2030) and the Global Arbovirus Initiative.
- Review, update and generate recommendations on the development of new tools, including insecticide products and application technologies.
- Collect and analyze official records of dengue and severe dengue from more than 100 Member States.
- Publish guidance, handbooks and technical resources on surveillance, diagnosis, case management, prevention and control.
