Climate Change is Making Dengue Deadlier as Mosquito-Borne Illnesses Spike Worldwide

(Photo : Getty Images/CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said dengue, a virus spread by mosquitoes, is becoming a global concern due to the rising impact of climate change.

Surge Of Dengue Cases

Experts said that the incidence of dengue has increased tenfold over the past 20 years, from 500,000 cases in 2000 to 5.2 million in 2019, according to data provided by WHO.

The United Nations (UN) health agency said the virus' continued spread in various countries and this year's unanticipated surge in cases have "resulted in close to a historic high of over five million cases and more than 5,000 dengue-related deaths in over 80 countries and territories."

Dengue is considered by experts as the most prevalent virus that infects people when bitten by an infected mosquito. Experts said that this is mostly found in urban places with tropical and subtropical climates.

The WHO cautioned the public that the surge in dengue cases presents a serious public health threat to the approximately 4 billion people.

"WHO assessed the risk of dengue as high globally, which requires a maximal attention and response from all the levels of the organization," said Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez, WHO Team Lead on Arboviruses.

The majority of dengue patients, so far, had experienced no symptoms. However, the most typical symptoms for those who do include rash, nausea, body aches, headaches, as well as high fever.

The majority of people usually heal in a span of one to two weeks, physicians pointed out.

The WHO stated that early detection and availability to appropriate medical care will reduce the likelihood of severe illness and death from dengue, as there is currently no particular therapy for the disease.

Climate Change

Scientists explained that the reason on why more nations are reporting dengue cases can be attributed to the fact that infected mosquitoes are now able to thrive there due to growing emissions linked to global warming.

"Climate change has an impact in dengue transmission because it increases rainfall, humidity and temperature. These mosquitoes are very sensitive to temperature," Alvarez said.

The Americas have recorded roughly 80 percent of dengue cases, or 4.1 million cases, according to the WHO, followed by the Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific.

Alvarez added that the transmission of the virus through travel is also posing a greater risk to previously dengue-free country such as France, Italy, and Spain.

The WHO has expressed deep concern that dengue outbreaks are occurring in fragile and conflict-affected countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen.

Moreover, dengue outbreaks are also reported in 15 15 countries in Africa including Benin, Chad, Ethiopia, and Ghana, but Burkina Faso was the most affected, with almost 150,000 cases.

In tropical regions and southern hemisphere, where the summer and dengue seasons are about to start, the WHO recommends nations and communities to be vigilant and ready to detect dengue transmission.