World Health Organization Warns: Dengue Fever is Spreading

The World Health Organization has warned that dengue fever is spreading to more regions and countries around the world due to increased activities such as population movement, urbanization, and climate-related issues. Raman Valioudan, a senior official at the World Health Organization, told reporters at a press conference in Geneva, "About half of the world's population is at risk of contracting dengue fever. Dengue affects approximately 129 countries. According to our estimates, between 100 to 400 million cases are reported each year." This disease, transmitted by the Aedes mosquito species, primarily thrives in tropical and subtropical climates. According to the World Health Organization, the disease has seen significant growth globally in recent decades, with cases rising from half a million in 2000 to over 4.2 million in 2022. Last year, Latin American regions reported 2.8 million cases of the disease and 1,280 related deaths. In the current year, with less than seven months passed, these figures have matched the total for 2022, with nearly three million cases and a nearly equal number of deaths. While there is no specific treatment for dengue fever, the World Health Organization states that patients can be treated with medications to reduce fever and body pain. The organization mentions that new tools such as disease diagnostics, antiviral drugs, and vaccines for the prevention and control of dengue fever are under development. In fact, it notes that one vaccine is already on the market, and two others are in the final phase of clinical trials and final review. Meanwhile, Valioudan pointed out that the mosquito that transmits dengue tends to bite during the day. Therefore, his current recommendation to the public is to "cover their bodies during the day to reduce the risk of mosquito bites and contracting dengue."