The Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization (WHO), Jeremy Farrar, has sounded the alarm about the growing threat of Dengue fever in the southern United States, southern Europe, and new regions of Africa in the coming decade. Farrar attributes this alarming trend to rising temperatures, which are creating favorable conditions for the mosquitoes carrying the disease to proliferate.
Dengue fever has long been a severe health concern in parts of Asia and Latin America, causing an estimated 20,000 deaths annually. Global Dengue rates have surged eightfold since 2000, primarily driven by climate change, increased human mobility, and urbanization.
The year 2022 saw 4.2 million reported Dengue cases worldwide, with public health officials warning of near-record levels of transmission in the current year. Bangladesh is grappling with its worst-ever outbreak, resulting in over 1,000 fatalities.
Jeremy Farrar, an infectious diseases specialist, who assumed his role at WHO in May, stressed the need for proactive discussions about Dengue. He emphasized the necessity of preparing countries to handle the escalating pressure that will be imposed by the disease in the future, particularly in major urban centers.
Farrar, who spent 18 years in Vietnam researching tropical diseases, believes Dengue is likely to become endemic in parts of the United States, Europe, and Africa. Global warming is enabling the mosquitoes that transmit the virus to thrive in new areas, leading to increased strain on healthcare systems.
Dengue symptoms often go unnoticed, resulting in case rates that are significantly higher than reported numbers. Those who do exhibit symptoms may experience high fever, muscle spasms, and severe joint pain, often referred to as “break-bone fever.” In rare cases (less than 1%), Dengue can be fatal.
While there is no specific treatment for Dengue, a vaccine is available. The WHO recently recommended Takeda Pharmaceuticals’ Qdenga vaccine for children aged 6 to 16 in areas where Dengue is a significant public health concern. However, Takeda withdrew its application for the vaccine in the United States earlier this year, citing data collection issues.
To prepare new regions for the Dengue threat, Farrar stressed the importance of allocating public health funds strategically, focusing on mosquito control, and fostering collaboration between different sectors, such as healthcare, urban planning, and scientific innovation. Dengue is primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which have distinct behavior patterns compared to malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Effective prevention efforts must include triage plans for hospitals and initiatives to eliminate standing water in or near homes where these mosquitoes breed.
Farrar’s call to action underscores the urgency of addressing Dengue fever as a growing global health concern and highlights the need for international cooperation to combat its spread and impact on vulnerable populations.
