Dengue Fever

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) continues to monitor dengue virus activity closely and will provide updated resources for clinicians and patients as necessary. Please check back frequently for any new information. 

In the setting of increased global and domestic incidence of dengue, healthcare providers should take steps to:

• Promote mosquito bite prevention measures: Advise people living in or visiting areas with frequent or continuous dengue transmission to take steps to prevent mosquito bites.
• Maintain heightened suspicion for dengue: Be vigilant for dengue in patients with fever who have been in areas with frequent or continuous dengue transmission within 14 days before illness onset.
  • Note that dengue and Oropouche viruses can co-circulate and cause similar symptoms. Supportive treatment is recommended in both cases.
• Order appropriate diagnostic tests for acute dengue virus infection:
  • Perform both a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] test and an IgM antibody test, OR
  • A non-structural protein 1 [NS1] antigen test and an IgM antibody test.
• Report dengue cases promptly: Ensure timely reporting of dengue cases to public health authorities.