Dengue is a vector-borne viral infection that affects many parts of the world. With up to 100 million infections occurring annually, dengue has placed nearly half of the world’s population at risk. Dengue causes severe, flu-like symptoms and can sometimes progress to “severe dengue,” formally known as “hemorrhagic fever.” First identified in the 1950s, today it is known to majorly affect Asian and Latin American countries. Severe dengue is a leading cause of death and hospitalization in these areas. Dengue thrives in poorer urban and suburban areas but has been documented in wealthier tropical and subtropical countries, as well (“WHO | What is dengue?,” n.d.).
Our team is focused on the effects of dengue specifically in Yemen. Located on the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen has become plagued by dengue fever for several reasons. First and foremost, Yemen’s climate, which includes a prolonged rainy season, results in standing water – a favorite breeding spot for mosquitos (Maged Ahmed Al-garadi, 2015). Additionally, Yemen has been plagued by civil war since 2015, perpetuating the country’s poor infrastructure (Yemen country profile, 2019). The war has forced Yemen to funnel resources into other areas, neglecting to effectively monitor and control the spread of the virus. The inherently poor population of Yemen lacks the knowledge of how to combat and treat dengue (Maged Ahmed Al-garadi, 2015). Many communities have poor sanitation practices, perpetuating the spread of dengue.