Preventing Dengue

Key points

• All four dengue viruses are spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito.
• Protect yourself from dengue by avoiding mosquito bites.
• There are no dengue vaccines currently available in the United States.

Prevent mosquito bites

Dengue is spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes bite during the day and night. There is no widely available dengue vaccine to prevent dengue infection. The best way to prevent dengue is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

• Use insect repellent.
• Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
• Take steps to control mosquitoes in and around your home.

Prevent mosquito bites

Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones of mosquito bites.Preventing Mosquito Bites

Plan for travel

Before your trip

• Review country-specific travel recommendations, health notices, and warnings.
• Visit a travel clinic or your healthcare provider for pre-travel medical care.
• Pack an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent.
• Pack acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol outside the United States) in your first aid kit. These medications can be used to manage fever and body pain in case you get dengue.

During your stay

• Follow steps to prevent mosquito bites to protect yourself and your family.
• Stay in places with air conditioning and with window/door screens.
• Use a bed net if air conditioned or screened rooms are not available or if sleeping outdoors.
• See a healthcare provider if you develop a fever or have symptoms of dengue.

After your trip

• Even if you do not feel sick, travelers returning from an area with risk of dengue should take steps to prevent mosquito bites for 3 weeks so they do not spread dengue to mosquitoes that could spread the virus to other people.
• Watch for dengue symptoms for 2 weeks after your trip..
• See a healthcare provider if you develop a fever or have symptoms of dengue. Tell them about your travel.

Dengue vaccines

• Currently, there are no dengue vaccines available for use in the United States.In 2021, a dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, was approved for use in children aged 9–16 years with laboratory-confirmed previous dengue virus infection and living in areas where dengue is common.
• In 2024, Sanofi-Pasteur, Dengvaxia's manufacturer, discontinued vaccine production because of a lack of demand in the global market.
• There are other dengue vaccines either approved or in late stages of development in other countries. However, they are not currently available in the United States.

On This Page

• Prevent mosquito bites
• Plan for travel
• Dengue vaccines

Aug. 31, 2026

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National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)About This Page

Published: May 15, 2024

Updated: August 31, 2026This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: August 28, 2026The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.

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