Dengue Outbreak in the Americas Strains Healthcare Systems

There were 12.6 million cases of dengue in the Americas, with 7,700 deaths. As climate and waste issues compound healthcare, systems have no choice but to deal with it.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported that cases of dengue surged across the Americas to an all-time high of more than 12.6 million this year, almost tripled compared to previous years. So far 21,000 severe cases and 7,700 deaths have occurred. It is the most cases of dengue since records began in 1980.

Of the nearly 21,000 cases and almost 20,000 fatalities, 88 – 90% came from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico. Boys and girls under 15 are most vulnerable, with three out of four dying in Guatemala and 30 out of 100 in Mexico, Costa Rica and Paraguay, PAHO said.

Dengue cases have surged prompting calls for stronger healthcare responses. They say the surge is due to climate events that facilitate the proliferation of the mosquitoes that spread the disease combined with poor waste management and accumulated water, which produce ideal breeding grounds for the mosquitoes.

Dengue is rapidly increasing in incidence, and healthcare experts warn that the spread of the condition are so fast that it could be too much for healthcare systems in the region. With this in mind the PAHO is calling upon countries to bolster efforts aimed at curbing the spread, including better waste management and improved ability to track dengue outbreaks.

Public health officials are urging global cooperation to combat dengue, which affects approximately 4 billion people living in areas where the disease is present, and is a growing threat to public health and healthcare systems around the world.