Governments and public health experts around the world are warning of a record increase in dengue fever cases, which is one of the most toxic and stubborn diseases that can afflict half of the world’s population. The mosquito-borne virus dates back a long time in warm regions but is now also appearing in areas that were not generally known for it, such as Europe and parts of the United States. By early December, more than five million dengue cases had been reported globally this year – a significant increase from the 500,000 cases in 2000 – across at least 80 countries and regions. According to “Save the Children,” more than 5,500 people have died so far in 2023.
What are the symptoms of dengue fever?
The symptoms experienced by those infected with dengue fever can vary significantly: up to 80% of dengue cases are asymptomatic, and while some infections may only cause flu-like symptoms, more severe cases can lead to internal bleeding that can be fatal.
Some of the most common symptoms of dengue fever include high fever, nausea, vomiting, and severe muscle and joint pain – which is why the disease is called “breakbone fever.”
When detected early and with medical care, the mortality rates from dengue fever are less than 1% – although this figure rises to 2-5% in cases of severe dengue. If left untreated, mortality rates from dengue can reach 20%.
How is dengue transmitted and why is its spread increasing?
Dengue fever is usually spread by infected female Aedes mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water and are transmitted from person to person through mosquito bites. The disease can also be transmitted from pregnant women to their children, and in rare cases, through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or needle injuries.
Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes have seen a relative increase due to the resumption of global travel following the COVID-19 pandemic. The El Niño phenomenon this year, which contributes to rising temperatures, is also believed to have exacerbated dengue outbreaks in tropical countries.
With rising global temperatures due to climate change, making more parts of the world suitable for the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes, experts are increasingly warning of the threat that dengue poses to the southern regions of the United States and Europe, as well as to new areas in Africa.
Researchers have also pointed out the impact of urbanization on the transmission of dengue. Besides increased population density, the expansion of informal urban settlements lacking sewage networks promotes the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes in stagnant water and exposed garbage, creating an optimal environment for the breeding and feeding of Aedes mosquitoes, which are already adapting to urban environments.
What are authorities around the world doing to combat dengue?
Fogging remains one of the oldest and most widely used methods for killing mosquitoes worldwide. However, the effectiveness of mosquito fogging is decreasing. Despite decades of chemical insecticide control, researchers have warned that dengue outbreaks may worsen with mosquitoes’ resistance to chemical compounds.
Innovative efforts led by the Global Mosquito Program, which are currently being tested in multiple countries, aim to combat mosquito-borne viruses using the mosquitoes themselves. Under this program, authorities release special mosquitoes bred to carry a bacterium called Wolbachia, which inhibits the transmission of viruses that cause dengue, Zika, and yellow fever.
As
Not everyone is welcoming the ambitious plan. When Indonesian authorities announced the release of 200 million Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes in Bali, the plan faced fierce opposition from experts and local residents, who have little faith in the results of a small experimental study conducted in another Indonesian city and were concerned that the Bali population would become “guinea pigs.”
In Singapore, where the Wolbachia project is being implemented at full scale, environmental agency staff regularly inspect homes and other sites to check for potential mosquito breeding grounds and collect water samples for laboratory testing. Property owners found to have mosquito breeding may face fines or imprisonment.
Singapore is also tracking emerging dengue fever clusters in the country. Boston Children’s Hospital has a similar initiative tracking global reports of dengue cases in the media, and researchers in London earlier this month announced the world’s first “dengue dashboard” to model and predict the spread of the disease worldwide, which is expected to be launched next year.
“We need local plans to combat dengue – at the village and city level – with community involvement,” said Yasser Arafat, a health advisor at Save the Children, in a statement highlighting the severity of dengue cases this year. “Funding should anticipate severe weather and climate risks for risk management, not just crises.”
How can you protect yourself from dengue fever?
Authorities recommend using insecticides to try to avoid contracting dengue fever. It is also advised to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and use insect screens on windows and doors, as well as to conduct regular checks in your home for stagnant water.
There are currently two commercially available dengue vaccines: Qdenga, which is recommended by the World Health Organization for children aged six to sixteen or those living in areas at high risk for dengue transmission, and Dengvaxia, which is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States for children aged nine to sixteen who have previously had dengue. (However, the world’s first dengue vaccination program, launched in the Philippines in 2016, was found to increase the severity of the disease for recipients of Dengvaxia who later contracted dengue, leading to a decrease in confidence in all vaccines in the country.)
For those who have contracted dengue, the World Health Organization recommends drinking plenty of fluids, getting adequate rest, and avoiding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin – instead, choose paracetamol for pain relief – and seek medical help if experiencing severe symptoms.
Source: https://www.aol.com/dengue-fever-soaring-worldwide-know-115849844.html
.lwrp .lwrp-list-container{
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container{
display: flex;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-double{
width: 48%;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-triple{
width: 32%;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container{
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container .lwrp-list-item{
width: calc(12% – 20px);
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item:not(.lwrp-no-posts-message-item){
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item img{
max-width: 100%;
height: auto;
object-fit: cover;
aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item.lwrp-empty-list-item{
background: initial !important;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-link .lwrp-list-link-title-text,
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-no-posts-message{
}@media screen and (max-width: 480px) {
.lwrp.link-whisper-related-posts{
}
.lwrp .lwrp-title{
}.lwrp .lwrp-description{
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container{
flex-direction: column;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container ul.lwrp-list{
margin-top: 0px;
margin-bottom: 0px;
padding-top: 0px;
padding-bottom: 0px;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-double,
.lwrp .lwrp-list-triple{
width: 100%;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container{
justify-content: initial;
flex-direction: column;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container .lwrp-list-item{
width: 100%;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item:not(.lwrp-no-posts-message-item){
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-link .lwrp-list-link-title-text,
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-no-posts-message{
}
};
}
Leave a Reply