Dengue, a virus spread by mosquitoes, annually infects people worldwide, with outbreaks difficult to predict due to environmental factors, mosquito dynamics, and varying population susceptibilities. Dengue imposes a significant global burden, with approximately 100 million symptomatic cases and 300 million asymptomatic infections reported annually This unpredictability poses challenges for disease management and hampers proactive public health measures, including targeted interventions and resource allocation.

Critical issues include the absence of specific antiviral treatments and the necessity to bolster healthcare systems. Current treatment primarily revolves around supportive care and complication management, underscoring the urgency for advanced therapeutic solutions.

Effective Dengue antivirals must target all four serotypes of the Dengue virus (DENV1, DENV2, DENV3, and DENV4). Each serotype presents unique genetic profiles and clinical outcomes, with immunity gained from one serotype offering no protection against the others. Sequential infections heighten the risk of severe Dengue, including hemorrhagic fever.
Early administration of Dengue antivirals is critical, as symptoms typically appear 4 to 10 days post-infection, with peak viral levels occurring within 2 to 4 days thereafter. Rapid viral replication during this phase leads to severe tissue damage and potential complications such as bleeding and reduced platelet counts. Timely diagnosis remains challenging, prolonging the period of cellular damage despite supportive care initiation.