Dengue fever cases have reached a record 12.6 million in the Americas this year, with deaths also on the rise. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported nearly triple the number of cases compared to last year, with over 7,700 deaths so far in 2024.
The surge in dengue cases is linked to climate change, which has enabled mosquitoes to expand their reach. Warmer temperatures, droughts, and flooding have contributed to the rise in dengue, along with rapid population growth, urbanization, and poor sanitation.
Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico are among the top countries reporting dengue cases, with over 10 million, 580,000, and 500,000 cases respectively. In the Caribbean, Guyana is leading with more than 41,000 cases.
The virus has also spread to areas previously free of dengue, and there are four types of dengue virus, which do not provide immunity from others. Many infected people experience headache, fever, and flu-like symptoms, while severe cases can cause serious bleeding, shock, and death.
Puerto Rico has reported over 4,900 cases and at least nine deaths so far this year, with officials urging residents to cooperate to control the outbreak. Vaccines against dengue have been introduced in some countries but are not expected to significantly impact transmission due to limited supplies.
The PAHO is stressing the importance of preventive measures, such as getting rid of stagnant water where mosquitoes lay eggs and using repellant to avoid bites.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/dengue-americas-caribbean-record-c7ba61d28009533336f23f9b954f1aa6