key: cord-0833934-yb8rfd8r
authors: Din, Misbahud; Asghar, Madiha; Ali, Muhammad
title: COVID‐19 and dengue coepidemics: A double trouble for overburdened health systems in developing countries
date: 2020-07-28
journal: J Med Virol
DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26348
sha: d3d1281c001036791bbbcedce71547791c198135
doc_id: 833934
cord_uid: yb8rfd8r

With the deadly Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by novel severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) spreading every corner of the developing and developed countries, the threat of another viral disease is now looming large on the horizon. In the coming days, the developing countries might also be facing the dengue fever outbreak, a viral disease known to be spread by mosquito vectors, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus 1. Compared to the havoc being wreaked by COVID-19, in term of economic and fatalities loss, dengue is far less deadly and is minor health problem. Yet, for developing countries, it could be serious problem, if significant awareness building programs among their population are not launched timely. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 and dengue coepidemics: A double trouble for overburdened health systems in developing countries There are also cases of misdiagnosis and coinfection of both the outbreaks as they share clinical manifestation and laboratory features. 6 The two cases of coinfected patients were reported from Singapore. Basically, both the cases first tested negative for dengue and shared similar diagnoses and disease course. After their discharge from the hospital, they returned due to constant fever and were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 and dengue coinfection. 7 Similarly, cases of coinfection were also reported in other countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Brazil, and Southeast Asia. Measures should be taken to distinguish cases with fever and headache from COVID-19 and dengue fever and these atypical symptoms must trigger alerts in developing countries with high dengue fever incidence.

Currently, the community transmission of COVID-19 is on the rise in developing countries and it is feared that the number of cases and deaths would increase in near future. None is certain that when the pandemic could start abating. The real risk of disease resurgence could be expected when the authorities start relaxing the lockdowns.

The second wave of COVID-19 in the coming few months could also be predicted using Influenza, SARS, and Middle East respiratory syndrome as key models. Scientists have urged that the COVID-19

can last for more than 3 years and can be halted when 60% to 70% of the world population is immune. 8 As there are less chances that vaccines will be clinically available by this year, it is expected that the current wave of the pandemic will be followed by repetitive smaller waves that are likely to be appeared consistently. The waves are also expected to be geographically distinct and their intensity will depend on the regional control measures such as avoiding social gatherings.

The worst scenario of a larger second wave before the end of 2020 followed by smaller waves is expected. Such predications are based

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