dengue

Everyday

A tropical disease spread by the bite of certain mosquitoes, causing high fever, headache and very painful muscles and joints. tree →

In the lessons

In health, geography and science lessons dengue is an example of a disease carried by mosquitoes in hot, wet countries; it teaches why people use nets, repellent and remove standing water where mosquitoes breed. Phrases: «dengue fever», «dengue outbreak», «catch dengue».

Examples

• Dengue is spread by mosquitoes. tree →
• Travellers used repellent to avoid dengue. tree →
• There was an outbreak of dengue after the heavy rains. tree →
• Dengue fever is sometimes called «breakbone fever» because it hurts so much. tree →
• Emptying water from old tyres stops mosquitoes breeding and helps prevent dengue. tree →
• She got dengue on holiday and needed rest and fluids. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Pronounced «DENG-ee». It is not spread from person to person directly, only by mosquitoes. Myth: it is not caught from water itself; mosquitoes lay eggs in still water.