The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the global increase in dengue infections this year poses a potentially serious threat to public health, but it has also issued a warning about an increase in new cases and deaths in previously unaffected countries.
The organization issued the warning in the wake of over five million illnesses and five thousand disease-related deaths globally. Team Lead on Arboviruses, Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez, briefed reporters at WHO Headquarters in Geneva. She stated that the threat necessitated "the maximal attention and response from all levels" of the UN health organization to help countries control current outbreaks and get ready for the upcoming season.
The most prevalent virus that infects humans is dengue, which is spread via mosquito bites. In tropical and subtropical regions, it is primarily seen in metropolitan areas.
Because of global warming, infected insects are now able to survive in more nations, which explains the surge in reported cases.
Alvarez stated, "These mosquitoes are very sensitive to temperature. Therefore, climate change has an impact on dengue transmission because it increases rainfall, humidity, and temperature."
Despite the fact that four billion people could contract dengue, the majority of infected individuals do not experience any symptoms and recover in one to two weeks.
However, according to the WHO, shock, serious bleeding, or organ dysfunction are indicators of severe infections. It also brought to light the fact that caregivers and medical professionals are frequently ignorant that these severe symptoms often begin "after the fever has gone away."
Severe stomach discomfort, frequent vomiting, bleeding gums, fluid buildup, sluggishness, restlessness, and liver enlargement are warning indicators to watch out for.
Since dengue has no known cure, preventing mortality requires early discovery and access to quality medical care. She went on, "Since the start of this year, there have been over five million cases of dengue reported globally, with over 5,000 deaths. Nearly 80% of those instances have been reported in the Americas, with Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific coming in second and third.
Dengue epidemics in unstable and conflict-affected nations in the eastern Mediterranean region, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen, are another cause for concern.
The El Niño event of 2023 has caused a shift in the global predominance of mosquitoes in recent years, amplifying the consequences of climate change and rising temperatures.