Over half of the world’s population—nearly four billion people—are at risk of contracting dengue annually. The incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades, causing an estimated 390 million infections and 500,000 hospitalizations annually. The rise in cases can be attributed to factors such as urbanization, globalization, and climate change. Severe dengue accounts for about 5% of dengue cases and is a leading cause of serious illness and death among children and adults in Latin America and Asia. Currently, there isn’t an effective preventative option for individuals regardless of prior exposure to the disease.
