dengue
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Rising temperatures accelerate global dengue spread, including U.S. territories
Dengue fever cases are surging globally, in part driven by climate change, with Puerto Rico seeing record numbers and a warning for future outbreaks in the United States.
Lena H. Sun and Sarah Kaplan report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Dengue cases have reached an unprecedented 10 million this year, exacerbated in part by global warming, which expands mosquito habitats.
- Puerto Rico declared a public health emergency with over 1,500 cases reported by mid-June, anticipating more due to the hot and rainy season.
- Public health officials expect the virus will crop up in more temperate regions, including the southernmost parts of the United States.
- The only U.S. dengue vaccine will expire in 2026, complicating future prevention efforts.
Key quote:
“The storm’s comin’, folks. It’s here in Puerto Rico, but you guys are going to feel it pretty soon.”
— Grayson Brown, executive director of the nonprofit Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit.
Why this matters:
Mosquitoes, particularly the Aedes aegypti species responsible for transmitting dengue, flourish in warmer, wetter environments. As climate change drives temperatures upward and alters precipitation patterns, these insects can expand their range, invading new territories and bringing dengue along with them. Countries unaccustomed to dealing with dengue outbreaks must now brace for potential epidemics, placing additional strain on healthcare systems already grappling with other infectious diseases.
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Climate crisis fuels mosquito disease spread in Europe, expert argues
Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever are increasing in Europe due to global warming, according to an expert.
In short:
- Prof. Rachel Lowe emphasizes the need for preparedness as warmer climates allow mosquitoes to inhabit new regions, potentially introducing diseases to immunologically naive populations.
- Dengue fever is spreading rapidly; the Asian tiger mosquito is now found in 13 European countries.
- Climate-related droughts and floods enhance virus transmission through increased mosquito breeding sites.
- If current warming trend continues, the number of people living in place where these vectors thrive is expected to double to 4.7 by 2100.
Key quote:
"Global warming due to climate change means that the disease vectors that carry and spread malaria and dengue [fever] can find a home in more regions, with outbreaks occurring in areas where people are likely to be immunologically naive and public health systems unprepared."
— Rachel Lowe, head of the global health resilience group at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center.
Why this matters:
As global temperatures rise, the habitats suitable for mosquitoes are expanding. This expansion means that more people are at risk of dengue fever as these mosquitoes bring the disease to new areas.
Be sure to read EHN’s piece: Pollution, climate change and the global burden of disease.
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Brazilian researchers announce promising new dengue vaccine amidst Latin American outbreak
A public research institute in Brazil has developed a promising single-dose vaccine offering strong protection against dengue, a timely discovery given the current severe outbreak across Latin America.
In short:
- The new vaccine effectively combats all four dengue virus strains, potentially improving future outbreak responses.
- Despite this breakthrough, production delays mean the vaccine won't be available in time to combat the current or possibly even the next outbreak cycle.
- Brazil faces specific challenges, as the new vaccine will initially only be available domestically, leaving other Latin American countries to wait for alternative solutions.
Why this matters:
A more effective vaccine could reduce the incidence and severity of the disease, easing the burden on healthcare systems and improving public health outcomes. This is particularly crucial as climate change could expand the habitats of dengue-carrying mosquitoes, potentially increasing the risk areas for the disease.
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Puerto Rico faces dengue emergency amid rising cases
In a bid to curb an unprecedented surge in dengue fever, Puerto Rico declares a public health emergency, highlighting the escalating challenge posed by mosquito-borne diseases globally.
In short:
- Puerto Rico's health department records a 140% increase in dengue cases, reaching epidemic levels with 549 cases this year.
- The island's struggle is part of a larger global trend, with climate change and environmental factors contributing to the spread of diseases like dengue.
- Despite the growing threat, efforts to control the outbreak include public education, vaccine campaigns, and innovative mosquito control technologies.
Key quote:
"It’s a complex problem, but climate change, and most importantly consistently increasing temperatures, even in higher elevations, [create] fertile ground for an outbreak."
— Manisha Bhinge, vice president of the Rockefeller Foundation’s Health Initiative
Why this matters:
Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease, presents a significant health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including Puerto Rico. Characterized by high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, and rash, dengue can progress to more severe forms such as dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, potentially leading to death.
Be sure to read EHN’s piece: Pollution, climate change and the global burden of disease.
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‘Deadliest outbreak ever seen’: Climate crisis fuels Bangladesh’s worst dengue epidemic
Mosquito-borne disease once largely limited to Dhaka spreads countrywide as higher rainfall and heat lead to fivefold rise in cases in a year, with children the hardest hit.
Credit: Jeison Higuita/Unsplash
COP28: El Niño in South America is a preview of a world under climate change
Dengue, drought, and floods are hammering Peru and Bolivia this year. At the UN climate talks, they’re seeking justice.
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How scientists are fighting climate-fuelled disease
As leaders gather in Dubai for the UN climate summit, experts say global warming is having a ‘profound effect' on health.
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