The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over the significant rise in dengue infections in 2023, classifying the increase as a major public health threat. The UN health agency reported over five million dengue cases and 5,000 deaths worldwide this year.
Dr. Diana Alvarez, WHO’s Team Lead on Arboviruses, emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the need for increased global attention and coordinated efforts to help countries manage the current outbreaks and prepare for the upcoming dengue season. She spoke at a briefing held at the UN headquarters in Geneva.
Dengue, a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, is prevalent in tropical and subtropical urban areas. The rise in infections is linked to climate change, which has expanded the geographical reach of the infected mosquitoes due to warmer temperatures, increased humidity, and higher rainfall.
“Climate change plays a significant role in dengue transmission by affecting the environment in which these mosquitoes thrive,” Alvarez explained, noting that mosquitoes are extremely sensitive to temperature changes.
Although around four billion people are at risk of contracting dengue, many cases are asymptomatic, with infected individuals recovering within one to two weeks. However, severe cases of dengue, which can cause shock, internal bleeding, or organ failure, pose a serious threat. These dangerous symptoms often emerge after the fever subsides, catching both caretakers and healthcare professionals off guard.
The WHO outlined warning signs of severe dengue, including intense abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums, fluid retention, lethargy, restlessness, and liver enlargement.
Because there is no specific treatment for dengue, early detection and immediate access to medical care are crucial to lowering the mortality rate from severe cases.
According to WHO data, the Americas account for nearly 80% of the total cases reported this year, followed by Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. Alvarez expressed particular concern about outbreaks in fragile and conflict-affected regions such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen.
The global spread of dengue has been further exacerbated by the 2023 El Niño weather phenomenon, which amplified the impacts of climate change and increased the mosquito population. WHO is urging all countries to strengthen their efforts in tackling this growing public health threat.
