Overview
- Dengue viruses are spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. The species of mosquitoes that spread dengue also spread Zika, chikungunya, and other viruses.
- Almost half of the world’s population live in areas with a risk of dengue. Dengue is often a common cause of illness in areas where it occurs. Dengue outbreaks occur in many countries in the world, including the Americas, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands.
- Dengue is caused by one of four related viruses: dengue virus 1, 2, 3, and 4. A person can be infected with dengue multiple times in their life.
- The symptoms of dengue commonly include fever, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, and body aches and pain. Most people recover after about a week. Some people go on to develop severe dengue that can lead to shock, internal bleeding, and death.
- Each year, up to 400 million people are infected by a dengue virus. Of those people, about 100 million people get sick from the infection, and 40,000 die from severe dengue.
- Severe dengue is more likely to occur if someone has had dengue infection in the past. The risk of developing severe dengue is also higher during pregnancy or infancy.
- A dengue vaccine is recommended by CDC for U.S. children age 9 to 16 years with laboratory-confirmed previous dengue virus infection who live in areas where dengue is common. These areas include Puerto Rico and some other U.S. territories and freely associated states.
- International Travel: Dengue vaccine is not recommended for travelers, even when visiting areas where dengue is common. Travelers to areas where dengue is common should take steps to avoid mosquito bites.
Dengue Vaccine Schedule
Dengue vaccine is recommended only for children ages 9–16 who live in areas where dengue is endemic (common) and who have laboratory confirmation of previous dengue infection. Endemic areas include Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. The vaccine is a 3-dose series, with doses administered 6 months apart. The manufacturer plans to discontinue production of this vaccine in 2026.
Partner Resources
General
Find resources about dengue infection, travel, and dengue vaccine.
General information about the dengue vaccine and testing required prior to vaccination.
Questions and answers about dengue disease and the vaccine from the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Travel
Information about ways to prevent mosquito bites and develop travel plans to reduce exposure to the dengue virus.
Listing of countries reporting higher than usual numbers of dengue cases or higher-than-expected number of dengue cases among U.S. travelers returning from those countries.
Travel notices for dengue from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Access the dengue chapter of the CDC Yellow Book for travel-associated infections and diseases. This resource is intended for healthcare professionals, but its information is also useful for travelers.