Ep 42 Dandy Dengue Fever
This Podcast Will Kill You
00:00
The Origins of the Dengue Virus
Aaron Carroll: Dengue virus probably originated in Asia and then kind of exploded out from there. About 2000 to 4000 years ago, the dengue virus hitched a ride in a type of mosquito species that likes to hang around human settlements. And these mosquitoes probably transmitted the infection to these small human settlements. But then these outbreaks were like little bursts. So they would happen infrequently. Everyone would get exposed. And then everyone would gain immunity. It's really good for the virus if it's increasing viremia, right? Because the more virus you have circulating, then the more likely a mosquito is going to be able to pick up that virus and transmit it to the next host.
Transcript
Play full episode
