title: The history of dengue outbreaks in the Americas.
abstract: Dengue is a viral disease usually transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Dengue outbreaks in the Americas reported in medical literature and to the Pan American Health Organization are described. The outbreak history from 1600 to 2010 was categorized into four phases: Introduction of dengue in the Americas (1600-1946); Continental plan for the eradication of the Ae. aegypti (1947-1970) marked by a successful eradication of the mosquito in 18 continental countries by 1962; Ae. aegypti reinfestation (1971-1999) caused by the failure of the mosquito eradication program; Increased dispersion of Ae. aegypti and dengue virus circulation (2000-2010) characterized by a marked increase in the number of outbreaks. During 2010 > 1.7 million dengue cases were reported, with 50,235 severe cases and 1,185 deaths. A dramatic increase in the number of outbreaks has been reported in recent years. Urgent global action is needed to avoid further disease spread.
authors.affiliation: Viral Diseases Program, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), 525 23rd Street,Washington, DC 20037, USA. brathwaiteo@paho.org
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Brathwaite Dick
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: San Martín
authors.forename: Romeo H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Montoya
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: del Diego
authors.forename: Betzana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zambrano
authors.forename: Gustavo H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Dayan
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000821:virology; D000569:Americas / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history*; D003716:Dengue Virus; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000266:history*; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000821:virology; D019595:Severe Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history*