Dengue in the workplace: Awareness and action
Explore how proactive health initiatives can support workforce well-being and contribute to long-term resilience.
About dengue: A growing threat to employees and employers
Dengue is the fastest-growing mosquito-borne viral disease globally, posing significant risks to both employees and businesses.3,4 Dengue is now endemic in over 125 countries, causing millions of infections and an estimated 40,000 deaths annually.5,6 Between 2000 and 2019, global reported cases increased tenfold, from 500,000 to 5.2 million,7 and 2023 marked a record high of 6.5 million cases.2 With cases almost double in 2024, the need for corporate attention to this escalating threat has never been greater.8
Expanding reach: Dengue incidence rates have doubled each decade in the past 30 years, largely as a result of climate change, increased urbanisation, and travel.9
Health impact: Approximately 1 in 4 dengue cases are symptomatic, with ~5% of those being severe. Severe dengue cases can require hospitalization and recovery periods of up to 14 days.2,10
No cure: There is no specific treatment for dengue or severe dengue, making prevention measures essential. Early detection and access to medical care can greatly lower fatality rates of severe dengue.2
Spreading to new regions: Although nearly 50% of the world’s population are estimated to live in areas at risk of dengue transmission,2,6 the disease continues to spread to new regions, including parts of Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, and South America, further increasing its potential impact on global workforces.2
Widespread risk: Anyone living in or traveling to a region with a risk of dengue is vulnerable to infection.11,12 This risk applies to people of all ages, regardless of where they live or work—whether in urban or rural areas, or spending time indoors or outdoors. This highlights the widespread impact of dengue and the critical need for preventive measures.11-14
Long-term effects: Post-infection complications, which can – in rare cases – include organ damage, cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, and short-term cognitive impairments, highlight possible lasting impact on employee health and productivity.3,10,15,16
- Secondary infection: Dengue is caused by 4 distinct but related virus strains, called serotypes. This means employees can contract dengue more than once, and secondary infections with a different serotype can increase the risk of severe illness.17
Business impact: The hidden costs of dengue
Dengue's growing prevalence reinforces the necessity for comprehensive prevention strategies to help protect employees health and also secure business continuity.1
Prevention strategies: Options for safeguarding against infectious diseases
A proactive approach to disease prevention can reduce the risks to both employees and businesses:
Health management systems: Implementing structured health programs across supply chains may help mitigate the impact of infectious diseases like dengue.22-24
Disease education and awareness: Providing ongoing education and training about disease prevention and healthy practices empowers employees to take an active role in safeguarding their health, creating a more informed and resilient workforce.23
- Wellness programs: Workplace wellness programs – including vaccination initiatives – can help protect employees, contribute to broader community health and disease control.22,25-27