Dengue and chikungunya are major arboviral diseases that have emerged as significant threats to global public health in recent decades. Their incidence and geographical distribution have expanded due to climate change, globalization, and the proliferation of Aedes vectors. The recent establishment of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Iran, coupled with local transmission cases reported in 2024, underscores the imminent risk of outbreaks, particularly of dengue and chikungunya. This situation necessitates urgent preparedness, including integrated prevention strategies, outbreak response planning, and the strengthening of rapid and accurate diagnostic infrastructure. This review examines the pivotal role of the Department of Arboviruses and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (National Reference Laboratory) at the Pasteur Institute of Iran in the surveillance and control of these infections. It addresses the virology, entomology, geographical distribution, and epidemiology within Iran and the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), alongside control challenges, diagnostic methods, and the importance of laboratory networking, highlighting the critical role of the National Reference Laboratory in managing these emerging threats.
Type of Study:
Review article |
Subject:
Infectious diseases and public health Received: 2026/06/9 | Accepted: 2026/02/21 | Published: 2026/03/17