DENGUE FEVER: EPIDEMIOLOGY, PREVENTION AND CONTROL STRATEGIES, AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF HERBAL MEDICINES
Sarthak Kumar, Pradeept Sikdar, Vijay Kumar Tiwari, Arun Sen, Shelly Gupta
ABSTRACT
Dengue fever is one of the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral diseases worldwide, posing a significant public health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions. The disease is caused by the dengue virus (DENV) and is primarily transmitted through the bites of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Increasing urbanization, climate change, globalization, and inadequate vector control measures have contributed to the growing incidence of dengue infections. This review highlights the global burden of dengue fever and provides a comprehensive overview of current prevention and control strategies, including physical, biological, and chemical approaches. Physical control methods such as GIS mapping, surveillance programs, community participation, and public health education play a crucial role in reducing disease transmission. Biological strategies involving Wolbachia-based interventions, genetic modification of vectors, sterile insect techniques, and larvivorous organisms have shown promising outcomes in vector suppression. Chemical control methods, including insecticides, insect growth regulators, and attract-and-kill technologies, remain important components of integrated vector management. Furthermore, the review summarizes medicinal plants and herbal remedies reported to possess anti-dengue activity, platelet-enhancing effects, or immunomodulatory properties. Several plant species, including Carica papaya, Azadirachta indica, Euphorbia hirta, Phyllanthus spp., and Curcuma longa, have demonstrated potential therapeutic benefits in experimental studies. Although herbal medicines offer promising alternatives, further preclinical and clinical investigations are required to establish their safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of action. An integrated approach combining vector control, public awareness, vaccination, and scientifically validated herbal therapies may contribute significantly to reducing the global burden of dengue fever.
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