Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses are transmitted by Aedes (Stegomyia) species mosquitoes. These mosquitoes can also transmit yellow fever virus in urban settings. Although Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are more abundant in tropical and subtropical than in temperate climates, their geographic scope is expanding and so too the risk of introduction and spread of the viruses they transmit. Aedes-borne arboviruses currently pose a public health threat in areas where 3.9 to 5 billion people live. The increasing incidence of these diseases in endemic areas and occurrence of imported and autochthonous disease cases in new areas, require clinician awareness to recognize disease and to manage cases according to evidence-based guidance, a task further complicated by the inability to differentiate clinically between these infections, particularly in the early phases of illness.

The purpose of this WHO guideline is to assist health care providers clinicians caring for patients with suspected or confirmed arboviral disease caused by dengue, chikungunya, Zika, or yellow fever viruses based upon the best available evidence, to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

A Guideline Development Group (GDG) comprising individuals with broad clinical expertise in clinical management of arboviral diseases, spanning multiple specialties and all WHO regions is convening to develop the Guidelines for clinical management of arboviral disease (dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever).

Each member of the GDG submits a declaration of interest (DOI) form prior to appointment to the group and will update the forms if any relevant changes occur during guideline development. The WHO technical unit facilitating the guideline development process collects and manages these forms, reviewing the content and providing a summary of declarations at each GDG meeting.