In the 1970s, only 9 countries experienced dengue epidemics; now, dengue outbreaks strike in over 120 countries. Dengue is the fastest-growing mosquito-transmitted disease in the world, putting a staggering 40% of the global population at risk – this is a worldwide epidemic. And it's only going to get worse as mosquitoes rapidly gain new grounds and health systems are strained to the maximum by other outbreaks such as COVID19.

We urgently need an officially recognised World Dengue Day to bring new attention to this disease and save countless lives.

Factors such as climate change, global trade and international travel have caused dengue to spread dramatically over the last 50 years, from 9 to over 120 countries. In the last five years, numbers of cases and hospitalizations have sharply risen, and severe dengue has become a leading cause of serious illness and death among children in Asian and Latin American countries. Even the milder cases are straining already stretched local health systems, economies and families as people miss work and school or tend to sick relatives. 

We are Kamran Rafiq and Marianne Comparet, directors of the International Society for Neglected Tropical Diseases (ISNTD). Our aim is to make an impact on the health and prosperity of the world's poorest and most vulnerable, while sharing the goal of reaching sustainable healthcare provision & poverty reduction in the developing world. 

Although dengue has been recognised as a Neglected Tropical Disease, we have been working to increase urgently the attention to the devastating effects of repeated and intensifying outbreaks of dengue and the lack of coordinated global strategies by preparing a petition to the United Nations and World Health Organization and an open letter detailing the health and socio-economic impact that this disease is having on the world.

Read our open letter to the United Nations

Our goal is to petition the United Nations and the World Health Organization to ratify an official World Dengue Day to help raise awareness and all-importantly coordinate international cooperation and response to outbreaks. Your support will help change history and ensure senseless deaths from dengue are reduced worldwide.

Some key reasons why the world needs a Dengue Day

• Dengue is an infectious disease with potentially fatal consequences
• Half the world's population is at risk
• Dengue has spread to Europe and the US
• $9 billion estimated direct and indirect medical costs
• Infection perpetuates a cycle of poverty and inequality
• Covid19 and the massive strain on healthcare systems 

Click to view our Dengue Infographic

By signing this petition you will be doing your bit to raise the worldwide profile of this devastating disease.

We'll keep you updated with the petition's progress. 

We thank you for all your support; the ISNTD’s motto has always been “progress through partnership” – and so together we will change the world for the better.

Kamran Rafiq and Marianne Comparet - ISNTD

----------------------------

Like our Facebook page: https://facebook.com/worlddengueday 

Follow us on Twitter: @WorldDengueDay

Please use #WorldDengueDay and #ISNTD