WHO is concerned about the progression of dengue in Europe, the United States and sub-Saharan Africa

2023-10-10 22:42:18

Faced with rising temperatures, dengue threatens to spread to the southern United States, southern Europe and Africa. The WHO is calling for increased preparedness for this rapidly expanding disease, exacerbated by climate change and urbanization.

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In 2022, 4.2 million cases of dengue fever have been reported worldwide. This pathology has been plaguing Asia and Latin America for a long time. It has grown enormously in recent years, largely due to climate change, population movements and urbanization. Increasingly high temperatures favor the spread of mosquitoes carrying the disease.

Dengue fever, the future scourge that we must prepare for?

According to World Health Organization (WHO) chief scientist Jeremy Farrar, dengue fever could become a major threat in the southern United States, southern Europe and new parts of Africa during this decade. The countries concerned must begin to prepare for this scourge. Hospital systems will be under pressure again.

Although most people infected with dengue do not show symptoms, those who develop a severe form of the disease require intensive care. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea and vomiting. In about 1% of cases, the disease is fatal. Some countries will not be able to cope. Jeremy Farrar cites sub-Saharan Africa in particular which should also be affected.

There is no specific treatment for dengue, but a vaccine is available. Recently, WHO recommended Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ Qdenga vaccine for children aged 6 to 16 in affected areas. Disease prevention through mosquito control remains the best strategy.

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