The Americas region faced its first dengue epidemic in 2024 since records began in 1980. According to reports, the director of the Organización Panamericano de la Salud (OPS), Jarbas Barbosa, has recorded more than 12.6 million casesa figure that represents an increase in 175% in comparison with los 4.5 million reported in all of 2023.
This alarming increase is due to a combination of factors including the effects of climate change, such as Sequences and floodswhich create favorable conditions for the proliferation of mosquitoes Aedes aegizimain transmitter of the virus. Furthermore, population growth and the expansion of urban areas without adequate water infrastructure and sanitation have contributed significantly to this increase in infections.
Jarbas Barbosa reported that the lack of planning in urban development has favored the formation of mosquitoes, especially in areas with insufficient basic services. These conditions, added to the growing population density, have intensified the spread of the infirmary throughout the region.
Most affected countries and alarming figures
Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia are concentrated there 90% of reported cases in 2024, as well as el 88% of the 7,713 deaths related to dengue registered up to the date of the date. These figures reflect the scale of the impact in the region's largest countries and address the need for urgent care to curb the spread of the virus.
In each age group, Barbosa left an unusual increase in risk in children and adolescents. In countries such as Costa Rica, Mexico and Paraguay, those under 15 years old account for more than a third of cases, while in Guatemala, the 70% of deaths the attribution of dengue corresponds to children. This finding is particularly worrying, as the least expensive appear to be particularly vulnerable to the serious complications of illness.
Serious and fatal cases
Hasta ahora, if they have registered 21,490 casos graves dengue in the region in 2024. Although this figure is alarming, Barbosa was surprised that countries have tools to prevent both the propagation of the virus and the fatal cases.
During a road trip, Barbosa revealed that “We are not helpless against dengue” and called on governments to repeat efforts to prevent serious cases and reduce mortality. According to the director of the Department of Prevention, Control and Elimination of Transmissible Nurses of the OPS, Sylvain Aldighieri, appropriate and quality medical attention can highlight the difference between life and death for affected patients.
Aldighieri explained that one patient was diagnosed on time and monitored for personal health capabilities “I shouldn't die of dengue”this highlights the importance of strengthening primary attention systems.
Please ensure primary attention and monitoring
The regional consultancy for the surveillance and control of arboviral attacks by PAHO, Thais dos Santos, coincided with the need to improve primary attention and monitoring systems in all countries in the region. According to the Saints, sharing epidemiological information efficiently and ensuring access to quality medical attention are essential steps to control the epidemic.
Furthermore, although no estimates have been made on the evolution of dengue until 2025, PAHO experts warn that governments must not lower their guard. Prevention and temporary intervention will be keys to avoiding the control situation in the coming years.
A problem exacerbated by climate change
The increase in dengue cases is directly related to the effects of climate change. Phenomena like intense rains, floods and sequías creates an ideal environment for the Aedes a Egypti mosquito to breed in stagnant water. These conditions have occurred more frequently and intensely in recent years, exacerbating the spread of the virus.
Furthermore, uncontrolled urbanization in many parts of America has generated densely populated areas with poor infrastructure, such as lack of access to potable water and inadequate drainage systems. These conditions not only favor the proliferation of mosquitoes, but also make it difficult to implement effective drugs to control the vector.
Urgent medicines to curb the epidemic
Barbosa and other PAHO experts insist that it is possible to reduce dengue cases and associated deaths if countries take action immediately. This includes:
- Elimination of puppies: Identify and eliminate spots of stagnant water, such as old tires, open air containers and bases, which are the places where the Aedes a Egypti mosquito deposits its bones.
- Awareness campaigns: Inform communities on how to prevent the spread of dengue and recognize symptoms to seek temporary medical attention.
- Strength of primary attention: Empower personal health and ensure that medical centers are equipped to diagnose and treat dengue cases, especially graves.
- Epidemiological monitoring: Improve surveillance systems to quickly identify siblings and respond appropriately.
An unprecedented epidemic
The dengue outbreak in 2024 is already the largest recorded in America for more than four decades. The combination of climatic, demographic and urban factors created a perfect environment for the propagation of the virus, and countries in the region faced an unprecedented challenge to control this epidemic.
Despite the gravity of the situation, experts insist that nothing is lost. With a coordinated approach, based on prevention, medical attention and monitoring, it is possible to reduce the impact of dengue in the region. However, governments will need to act quickly and decisively to prevent this crisis from worsening even further in the future.
The dengue epidemic is not only a record of the vulnerability of health systems before vector-borne illnesses, but also of a call to address subordinate factors, such as climate change and uncontrolled urbanization. Only through an integral approach will it be possible to protect the most affected communities and prevent this health crisis from repeating past years.
