What is the global situation of dengue?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of April 30, over 7.6 million cases of dengue were reported in 2024.
This included 3.4 million confirmed cases, over 16,000 severe cases and over 3,000 deaths.
In an update on the global scenario on May 30, it said that 90 countries have known active dengue transmission
The WHO noted that at least five countries, including India, were grappling with the onset of monsoon season, which created suitable conditions for the breeding and survival of Aedes mosquito.
Urbanisation and population movements have also played a pivotal role in the increasing burden in the region.
Dengue is endemic in more than 100 countries in the WHO regions of Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia and Western Pacific.
The Americas, South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions were the most seriously affected, with Asia accounting for around 70% of the global disease burden.
However, it also noted that dengue is spreading to new areas in Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and South America.
How does dengue spread and how is it treated?
Dengue virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes, with the primary vector that transmits the disease being Aedes aegypti
Mostly asymptomatic or mild, but some may develop severe dengue that could include shock, severe bleeding or organ impairment
According to the National Guidelines for Clinical Management of Dengue Fever, dengue presents as an acute febrile illness lasting two to seven days, characterised by symptoms such as headache, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, rash, and hemorrhagic manifestations.
In those without any warning signs or complications, dengue is managed through symptomatic and supportive treatment.
What are the emerging patterns in dengue?
Researchers and public health experts have been closely monitoring the emerging patterns in dengue.
According to the WHO, factors contributing to the increasing risk of dengue epidemics include the changing distribution of the Aedes aegypti vector, urbanisation, and human activities that create conducive environments for vector-host interaction, and climate change-induced shifts in weather patterns.
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