India, May 12 -- With each monsoon season, hospitals across major cities in India prepare for a surge in dengue cases, often stretching already constrained capacity.

In one such hospital ward, a child lies in a hospital bed with an intravenous (IV) line taped to his arm. His parents watch as nurses monitor him, watching closely for any signs that his condition is getting worse. The parents know that what began as a mild fever could become severe and could even kill their child or impair him permanently.

For millions of families each year, this is the reality of dengue care. There is no specific treatment for dengue - a major hurdle in the global response to the viral disease, which is growing rapidly due to climate change and urbanisati...