Dengue Contingency Planning: From Research to Policy and Practice

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Tropical Medicine

Background:

• Dengue incidence is rising globally, necessitating improved strategies for disease management.
• Existing approaches often lack comprehensive planning and integrated response mechanisms for dengue epidemics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an evidence-based handbook for translating dengue research into policy and practice.
• To guide the creation of effective contingency plans and early warning systems for dengue fever epidemics.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature reviews and stakeholder interviews informed the handbook's content.
• A multi-country study assessed current dengue contingency planning and outbreak management practices.
• A retrospective analysis identified alarm signals for outbreak prediction using data from endemic countries.

Main Results:

• Best practices for dengue outbreak management are detailed, covering planning, surveillance, and response.
• Key elements include context-specific plans, alert algorithms, and integrated vector control.
• A computer-assisted early warning system was developed to predict dengue outbreaks.

Conclusions:

• Many countries lack detailed contingency plans for dengue outbreaks.
• Current responses often overemphasize vector control, neglecting integrated surveillance and risk communication.
• The handbook provides evidence-based guidance for effective dengue outbreak declaration and resource mobilization.