DengueNet – WHO’s internet based system for the global surveillance of dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever

Globally, 2.5 billion people live in areas where dengue viruses are transmitted. The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, the eastern Mediterranean, South East Asia, and the Western Pacific. South East Asia and the western Pacific are most seriously affected (1). It is estimated that 50 million dengue infections occur each year, with 500 000 cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and at least 12 000 deaths, mainly among children. Only a small proportion of these cases are reported to the World Health Organization (WHO).