Dengue virus infection can cause dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever which are important arthropod-borne viral diseases. Each year, there are ~50 million dengue infections and ~500,000 individuals are hospitalized with dengue hemorrhagic fever, mainly in Southeast Asia, the Pacific and Americas. Illness is produced by any of the four dengue virus serotypes. A global strategy aimed at increasing the capacity for surveillance and outbreak response, changing behaviors and reducing the disease burden using integrated vector management in conjunction with early and accurate diagnosis has been advocated. This review will provide an update on our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of this successful pathogen, how we diagnose and control infection and the progress that has been made in antiviral drugs and vaccine development.