The Pan American Health Organization (Oops) warned of the increase in dengue cases in the Americas. Until March 26, the entity recorded more than 3.5 million infections of the disease, with the majority in Brazil (83%), Paraguay (5.3%) and Argentina (3.7%). Together, the countries account for 92% of dengue cases in the region.
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Jarbas Barbosa, director of PAHO, assessed the scenario as worrying, since the number of infections represents triple that recorded in the same period in 2023. He also pointed out that nations such as Barbados, Costa Rica and Mexico, where transmission tends to be higher in the second half of the year, there is also an increase in cases.
According to PAHO, the dengue outbreak in the Americas is explained by several environmental and social factors. These include rising temperatures and extreme weather events such as rainfall, and rapid population growth and unplanned urbanization. This helps with mosquito breeding and proliferation. Aedes aegypti – dengue vector.
Just from the high number of cases, Barbosa highlighted that the dengue mortality rate in the Americas remained below 0.5% (just over a thousand records). “This is relevant considering the spikes in cases seen since then,” he said.
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“I call for intensifying efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, prepare health services for early diagnosis and timely clinical management, and provide guidance to the population on the symptoms of dengue,” said Barbosa. The fight against dengue is a task for all sectors of society”, he stressed.
