In a startling announcement, the World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm over a significant surge in dengue infections worldwide in 2023, posing a potential high-risk scenario for public health.
At a press briefing held at the UN headquarters in Geneva, WHO’s Team Lead on Arboviruses, Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez, disclosed that more than five million cases of dengue and 5,000 deaths have been reported globally this year.
Dengue, a viral infection primarily transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes, is prevalent in urban areas within tropical and sub-tropical climates.
Dr. Alvarez stressed the critical need for immediate attention to address this growing threat.
She emphasised that a comprehensive response from all levels of the UN health agency is necessary to assist affected countries in controlling existing outbreaks and preparing for the upcoming dengue season.
The increase in reported cases is attributed to the expansion of infected mosquitoes into new regions, driven by global warming and rising emissions.
Dr. Alvarez explained, “Climate change has an impact on dengue transmission because it increases rainfall, humidity, and temperature.
These mosquitoes are very sensitive to temperature.”
While the majority of the four billion people at risk of dengue remain symptom-free, severe infections can lead to shock, severe bleeding, or organ impairment.
WHO highlighted that dangerous symptoms often manifest after the fever subsides, catching caregivers and medical professionals off guard.
Warning signs include intense abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums, fluid accumulation, lethargy, restlessness, and liver enlargement.
With no specific treatment for dengue, early detection and access to proper medical care are crucial in lowering the probability of death due to severe cases.
“Since the beginning of this year, over five million cases and about 5,000 deaths of dengue have been reported worldwide, with close to 80 percent of those cases in the Americas, followed by South-east Asia and the Western Pacific,” cautioned Dr. Alvarez.
The global prevalence of mosquitoes has undergone significant changes in recent years, attributed to the 2023 El Niño phenomenon.
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