Dengue: Latin America and Caribbean record over 3.5 million cases and 1000 deaths

The Pan American Health Organisation is warning of a sudden surge in dengue cases in the Americas region, including Barbados and the French countries of Guadeloupe and Martinique. The Organisation said that as of March 26, 2024, more than 3.5 million cases and over 1000 deaths have been recorded in the region.

Director Jasbas Barbosa said that this is a major cause of concern as it shows three times more cases than those were reported for the same period last year, a record year with over 4.5 million cases reported in the region.

PAHO also said that while dengue is on the rise across Latin America and the Caribbean, the most hit nations are Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina, accounting for 92% of cases and 87% of deaths.

This increase in dengue cases is because of the higher transmission season in the southern hemisphere when the Aedes aegypti mosquito vector of dengue is on the rise due to rainy and warm weather.

Dr Barbados further added that PAHO is also witnessing an increase in cases in nations such as Costa Rica, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guatemala and Mexico where transmission is usually more in the second half of the year.

The Director also stressed the presence of mosquito vectors and cases in new geographical locations, which raises concerns that a few nations may not be ready to face a rise in transmission.

In addition to this, Jasbas Barbosa said that many environmental as well as social factors contribute to the spread of this disease, which includes extreme weather events, rising temperatures and the El Niño phenomenon

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The Organisation has maintained strict surveillance of dengue in the region and has also issued nine epidemiological alerts in the last 12 months while providing necessary guidance to Member States on disease prevention as well as control.

Dr Barbosa highlighted the significance of taking immediate action to prevent and control the transmission of this disease and avoid deaths.