The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued a warning about the worst epidemic of Dengue in the history of the Americas. As of March 26, 2024, there have been over 3.5 million reported cases in the region, with more than 1,000 fatalities. This is three times the number of cases reported during the same period in 2023, which was a record year with over 4.5 million cases.
The countries most affected by this epidemic in Latin America include Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, accounting for 92% of cases and 87% of deaths. The Aedes mosquito, the vector for Dengue, thrives in hot and rainy climates, leading to increased transmission during the Southern Hemisphere’s higher virus transmission season.
PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa has expressed concern over the increase in cases in countries such as Barbados, Costa Rica, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique, and Mexico. The presence of the mosquito vector in new geographic areas raises fears that some countries may not be prepared to handle the increased transmission.
Environmental and social factors such as increasing temperatures, extreme weather events, El Niño, rapid population growth, and unplanned urbanization contribute to the spread of Dengue. In the Americas, approximately 500 million people are at risk of contracting the disease. The presence of all four Dengue serotypes in the region increases the risk of epidemics and severe forms of the disease.
In Europe, Italy has recorded the highest number of Dengue cases, followed by France and Spain. The Italian Ministry of Health has issued recommendations for travelers, including finding out about Dengue presence in destination countries, consulting travel medicine centers for vaccinations, and taking precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
The Ministry also recommends contacting a doctor upon returning to Italy if symptoms of Dengue, such as fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, nausea, and rashes, appear within 14 days of travel. While there is no specific cure for Dengue, experts advise rest, fever-reducing medications, and hydration. In Brazil, scientists are using Wolbachia-modified mosquitoes as part of a campaign to combat the virus.
Overall, it is crucial for countries to act promptly to prevent and control the transmission of Dengue to avoid fatalities and severe outbreaks. PAHO has been supporting countries in the region since 2010 through a global strategy to control Dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.