Dengue epidemic in Latin America: record numbers and devastating consequences

Dengue epidemic in Latin America: record numbers and devastating consequences

Guatemala, Guatemala - Latin America has been in the middle of the worst dengue epidemic since 1980! Sensational 12.6 million cases were reported this year, which is almost three times as many infections as in the previous year. The Pan -American health organization (PAHO) reveals that the virus rages particularly in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Argentina, where over 90 percent of cases were registered. Tragically, more than 7,700 people have already fallen victim to dengue fever, with children in particular being extremely at risk, as the Paho reports.

The invisible danger

Dengue, often also known as a "bone breaker disease", causes considerable symptoms with symptoms such as fever, rash and severe pain in the head, muscles and joints. The virus that is transmitted by the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes Aegypti) is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions. Although not every infected person falls seriously ill, the current epidemic shows that 1 to 5 percent of cases can take a fatal outcome. In Guatemala, for example, shocking 70 percent of deaths are due to children, such as Jarbas Barbosa, the director of Paho. This lets the alarm bells ring!

The increase in dengue cases is favored by weather-related factors: strong precipitation and high temperatures create optimal conditions for the mosquitoes. In addition, there are unregulated housing and poor wastewater management, which further promote the spread of the virus, according to the Paho. Although different countries have started programs in which modified mosquitoes are suspended with Wolbachia bacteria that are supposed to contain the virus spread, the question remains: how quickly can the vaccination campaign reach? Barbosa explains that vaccination is important, but cannot stop the immediate outbreak.