Clinical Management of Arboviral Diseases: Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika and Yellow Fever

World Health Organization

The purpose of this guideline is to assist health care providers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed arboviral disease caused by dengue, chikungunya, Zika or yellow fever viruses. Arboviral diseases, primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, pose an increasing threat to global health, particularly in the context of climate change, urbanization, and growing human mobility. With over 5.6 billion people worldwide at risk of arboviral infection, it is essential that healthcare professionals have access to evidence-based recommendations to effectively manage these infections in patients. The new WHO guidelines provide clinical management recommendations for four of the most widespread arboviruses affecting humans: dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever. An integrated approach is vital, as these four diseases often present with similar symptoms, especially in the early stages of infection, and multiple arboviruses may circulate simultaneously in certain regions. This makes clinical differentiation challenging, particularly where diagnostic testing is not readily available.