The chief scientist from the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that dengue fever is set to become a major threat within the next ten years due to the rising temperatures on Earth. According to EuroNews.Green, the infection, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, is expected to have a significant impact on Europe, the United States, and new regions in Africa as the global temperature increases. This phenomenon will drive the insects into areas they have not previously inhabited.
Dengue fever is already a cause for concern in Latin America and Asia, where it leads to approximately 20,000 deaths annually. The disease’s global incidence has increased eightfold since 2000, primarily due to the planet’s dangerous overheating. Last year alone, 4.2 million cases were reported, and experts anticipate that the number of cases in 2023 will reach a record high. It is important to note that a significant proportion of dengue fever cases go unreported.
The symptoms of dengue fever include muscle spasms, joint pain, and severe headaches, earning it the nickname “break-bone fever.” However, most infected individuals show no symptoms, making it challenging to track and prevent outbreaks and transmission. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 5% of people infected develop a severe form of the disease, and less than 1% of cases overall result in death when properly diagnosed and treated.
Certain groups, such as pregnant individuals, children, and those who have had dengue fever in the past, are at a higher risk of severe illness, as reported by EuroNews.Green.
To combat dengue fever, a vaccine is available. WHO recommends that children between the ages of six and 16 in affected regions receive Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ Qdenga vaccine. Additionally, experts believe that public funding for mosquito control and hospital triaging planning will help mitigate the disease’s impact. The most effective preventive measure individuals can take is to eliminate standing water in and around their homes, as stagnant water attracts mosquitoes.
“We need to talk much more proactively about dengue,” said Jeremy Farrar, the chief scientist and infectious disease specialist at WHO. “We need to really prepare countries for how they will deal with the additional pressure that will come… in the future in many, many big cities,” he added, according to EuroNews.
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