I agree with belmarduk's explanation as well. This headline from the Jakarta Post shows the way I've always heared it used. A word of explanation: Indonesia is currently undergoing an epidemic of what may be a new strain of dengue fever .http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20040303.C04

The etymology of dengue from: http://www.bartleby.com/61/9/D0130900.html

American Spanish, alteration (influenced by dengue, affectation) of Swahili -dinga.

Bingley


Bingley