When viral infection strikes, understanding our own response at the molecular, individual, and global level is crucial to the longevity and health of our communities. Exploring and implementing this information, of course, falls into the hands of researchers. Editors Dr Claudia Nunes Duarte dos Santos and Dr Marta Giovanetti respond to the dengue crisis in their recent book, Dengue Virus Evolution: From Emergence to a Global Health Crisis, published by Springer. In this book, authors Dr Myrna Cristina Bonaldo, Dr Samuel Goldenberg, Dr Ricardo Galler, and Dr Duarte dos Santos examine the early human records of the dengue and its evolution, detail our current molecular understanding of the virus, and finally, explore our next steps in responding to this crisis as our climate continues to shift around us. 

Dr Duarte dos Santos currently works at the Carlos Chagas Institute, a branch of Fiocruz, where she works as both a senior researcher and the coordinator for Molecular Virology Laboratory. Dr Giovanetti works as an Associate Professor of Microbiology at the Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma. Both have contributed massively to our understanding of arboviral outbreaks, and the necessary actions taken to control them.  

Below, the editors provide a summary of the book and detail the vital connection between their work and SDG3: Good Health and Wellbeing. 

Dengue Virus: From Emergence to a Global Health Challenge in the Era of SDG 3  

Dengue has emerged as one of the most pressing mosquito-borne diseases worldwide, reflecting broader transformations in global health driven by climate change, urbanization, and increased human mobility. Once largely confined to tropical regions, dengue is now expanding into new geographic areas, including temperate zones, highlighting the growing vulnerability of populations and health systems. In Dengue Virus Evolution: From Emergence to a Global Health Crisis, we bring together a multidisciplinary perspective to explore the biological, ecological, and epidemiological dimensions of this rapidly evolving threat. The book examines how viral evolution, host immune responses, and vector dynamics interact to shape transmission patterns, disease severity, and outbreak potential. It also addresses key challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine development, particularly the complications arising from cross-reactive immunity.  

The book’s subject is closely aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), particularly in its focus on strengthening the capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats. Dengue exemplifies the challenges addressed by SDG 3, including the need to reduce the burden of communicable diseases and to enhance preparedness for emerging epidemics. Several key themes explored in the volume directly contribute to this agenda. Advances in genomic surveillance provide critical tools to monitor viral evolution and track transmission pathways in real time, supporting early outbreak detection and more targeted and integrated interventions. At the same time, improved understanding of immune responses—especially the inherent complexity of the enhancement phenomenon—remains essential for the development of effective vaccines and diagnostics. 

Vector surveillance also plays a central role. As the distribution of Aedes mosquitoes expands under changing climatic conditions, integrated entomological monitoring becomes essential to anticipate and to support the design of strategies for the control of viral transmission. The book highlights how linking vector data with epidemiological and genomic information can strengthen early warning systems and guide public health responses. Importantly, dengue illustrates the need for integrated and forward-looking approaches to global health. Addressing its growing impact requires coordination across disciplines and sectors, including human, animal, and environmental health. This aligns with a One Health perspective, which is increasingly recognized as fundamental to achieving SDG 3 targets. As dengue continues to evolve and expand, it serves as a critical case study of how emerging infectious diseases can challenge existing health systems. Strengthening surveillance, improving diagnostics, advancing research, and fostering international collaboration will be essential to reduce its burden and enhance global preparedness.

By bringing together insights from genomics, immunology, ecology, and public health, this volume aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of dengue and to support the development of more effective strategies to address this growing global health threat.

This book, which can be accessed here, was published by Springer in the Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology series. This blog will contribute to the SDG3 Newsletter group; read more about this on Springer Nature Research Communities.