Dengue fever is on the rise throughout the Americas and the Caribbean; Brazil, with 83% of cases, is the country with the most cases of the disease. Paraguay is the second most affected with 5.3% and Argentina with 3.7%. These three nations account for 92% of cases and 87% of deaths.
Dengue fever is on the rise throughout the Americas and the Caribbean; Brazil, with 83% of cases, is the country with the most cases of the disease. Paraguay is the second most affected with 5.3% and Argentina with 3.7%. These three nations account for 92% of cases and 87% of deaths.
The Pan American Health Organization, PAHO, warned of the increase in dengue cases in the Americas. As of March 26 this year, more than 3.5 million infections and more than a thousand deaths have been reported in the region.
The presence of the four dengue serotypes in the region increases the risk of epidemics and severe forms of the disease. The simultaneous circulation of two or more dengue serotypes was observed in 21 countries and territories in the Americas.
Several environmental and social factors contribute to the spread of dengue, including rising temperatures, extreme weather events and the El Niño phenomenon.
Rapid population growth and unplanned urbanization also play a crucial role, as poor housing conditions and inadequate water and sanitation services create mosquito breeding sites through discarded objects that can accumulate water.
The director of Opas, Jarbas Barbosa, stated that “this is a cause for concern, as it represents three times more cases than those registered in the same period in 2023, a record year with more than 4.5 million cases registered in the region”.
The PAHO director also noted the presence of the mosquito vector and cases in new geographic areas, raising concerns that some countries may not be prepared to face an increase in transmission.
The PAHO director called for intensified efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, increase preparation in health services for early diagnosis and timely clinical management. Another point he highlighted was the ongoing work to educate the population about the symptoms of dengue and when to seek immediate medical attention. According to Barbosa, “tackling the problem of dengue is a task for all sectors of society”.
Dengue Brazil
Brazil reached the mark of 831 deaths from dengue and 2,321,050 probable cases of the disease in 2024, according to data released by the Ministry of Health, referring to the date of 03/24. The Federal District remains the federation unit with the highest incidence rate of cases, followed by Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Paraná and Goiás. Federal government technicians also warned of the dangers of self-medication and highlighted the importance of seeking medical care from the first symptoms, such as fever and body aches.
A public health emergency due to dengue has already been declared in the Federal District and in 10 states: Acre, Amapá, Goiás, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and São Paulo . In addition, 407 municipalities also declared an emergency. Minas Gerais (199), São Paulo (66) and Santa Catarina (41) lead the ranking of cities with the most publications.
Source: UN News
