The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised the alarm over the increase in dengue fever infections recorded globally in 2023, describing it as a potential high public health threat.
The WHO issued the warning on Friday as it reported more than five million dengue infections and 5,000 deaths from the disease worldwide in 2023.
The WHO Team Lead on Arboviruses at the UN headquarters in Geneva, Diana Alvarez, says the threat required maximal attention.
According to him, the threat also required a response from all levels of the UN health agency to support countries in controlling current dengue outbreaks and prepare for the upcoming dengue season.
“Since the beginning of this year, over five million cases and about 5,000 deaths of dengue have been reported worldwide and close to 80 per cent of those cases have been reported in the Americas, followed by Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific,” Alvarez said.
Dengue is the most common viral infection transmitted to humans bitten by infected mosquitoes. It is mostly found in urban areas, within tropical and sub-tropical climates.
The rise in the number of reported cases of dengue in more countries has been attributed to the fact that infected mosquitoes now thrive in more countries because of global warming associated with rising emissions.
“Climate change has an impact on dengue transmission because it increases rainfall, humidity and temperature. These mosquitoes are very sensitive to temperature,” she added.
Although four billion people are at risk from dengue, most of those infected are symptom-free and usually recover within one to two weeks.
Dengue is the most common viral infection transmitted to humans bitten by infected mosquitoes. It is mostly found in urban areas within tropical and sub-tropical climates.
The rise in the number of reported cases of dengue in more countries is explained by the fact that infected mosquitoes now thrive in more countries because of global warming associated with rising emissions.
