Table 2 Timeline and characteristics of dengue classifications used over 30 years of dengue fatal cases investigation in Brazil

World Health Organization (WHO), 1997

World Health Organization (WHO), after a study based on dengue on children in Thailand in the 1950s and 1960s, with modifications in 1986 and 1997 [34].

DHF and DSS

From 1986 to 2000

Ministry of Health of Brazil, 2000

Brazilian Ministry of Health, used to define dengue severe cases that did not meet the WHO criteria for DHF / DSS. Used only in Brazil.

DCC

From 2000 to 2013

WHO, 2009

World Health Organization (WHO), based on the results of a multicenter study (DENCO) conducted in Southeast Asia and Latin America to assess the limitations of the 1997 classification.

DwWS and SD

From 2014 to present