In a first, the World Health Organization (WHO) has published guidelines for the clinical management of patients with suspected or confirmed arboviral diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever.

Arboviruses have become a growing public health threat, putting over 5.6 billion people at risk. Once limited to tropical and subtropical climates, the Aedes mosquitoes that transmit these diseases are spreading to new regions due to climate change, population growth, increased travel, and urbanisation, increasing the risk of outbreaks.

While early detection and treatment are key for better outcomes, diagnosing these diseases "can be challenging as their symptoms often overlap and resemble other febrile illnesses," said the WHO.