The WHO warns of the increase in dengue due to climate change – Health and Medicine

2023-10-30 12:51:38

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It is the second most diagnosed cause of fever in people returning to Europe from endemic countries.

“Dengue carries a significant burden on public health in countries where it is endemic and, due to climate change and urbanization, it is expected to continue to increase, both in its incidence and in its geographical expansion.” This is how the World Health Organization (WHO) warned this October in a statement about the most prevalent and rapidly spreading mosquito-transmitted viral infection throughout the world, according to this institution.

It is transmitted by female mosquitoes (vectors), mainly of the Aedes aegypti and Aedes Albopictus species, which are responsible for 390 million infections per year, half a million hospitalizations and more than 20,000 deaths worldwide. In the last 50 years, the number of cases has multiplied by 30, according to the European Climate and Health Observatory, due to causes such as globalization, travel, trade and socioeconomic factors.

Expansion across Europe

Dengue is present in more than 125 countries, especially in regions with tropical and subtropical climates, and in recent years it has expanded to other areas such as Europe, especially due to the increase in international travelers, who carry the virus. In fact, after malaria, it is the second most diagnosed cause of fever in people returning to Europe from endemic countries. The change in temperature patterns also influences the spread of infection on this continent: “The climatic suitability for dengue transmission within Europe is already increasing, and the higher temperatures expected in the future will create even more favorable conditions for dengue that carries mosquitoes in several parts of central Europe,” they say from the European observatory.

Up to 75% of patients do not present symptoms, the rest may present high fever, headache, muscle and joint pain and nausea and vomiting, as well as a skin rash or swollen glands. Symptoms usually last two to seven days after an incubation period of four to ten days after the bite. In most cases, the person is cured in one or two weeks, but sometimes the disease worsens and requires hospitalization, as highlighted by the WHO, which emphasizes that, in the most serious cases, dengue can be deadly.

There is no specific treatment for dengue, so the medications used are mainly for pain. Among preventive measures, it is advisable to protect yourself from mosquito bites, especially during the day, with the use of long-sleeved clothing, mosquito repellents, nets or screens, and avoiding mosquito habitats. Before a trip, it is recommended to visit the family doctor or the international vaccination center well in advance to find out the recommendations about this infection.