Record-Breaking Dengue Cases Reported Across the Americas and Caribbean, WHO Urges Countries to Take Action

A record-breaking number of dengue cases have been reported across the Americas and Caribbean this year, surpassing the previous record set in 2019. Officials from the Bahamas to Brazil are warning of crowded clinics and new infections daily.

According to Thais dos Santos, adviser on surveillance and control of arboviral diseases with the Pan American Health Organization, this year is the year of the most dengue cases in recorded history. Experts believe that rising temperatures and rapid urbanization are accelerating the pace of infections.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the number of cases of dengue has increased by 30-fold in the past 50 years. In 2019, there were more than 4 million cases reported in the Americas and Caribbean, and the number is expected to be even higher this year.

The WHO has warned that dengue is a major public health concern in the region, and that countries must take steps to reduce the risk of transmission. This includes improving access to clean water, proper waste management, and vector control.

The WHO is also urging countries to strengthen their health systems to better detect and respond to dengue outbreaks. This includes increasing access to diagnosis and treatment, as well as providing education and awareness about the disease.

Overall, the Americas and Caribbean are facing a record-breaking number of dengue cases this year, and officials are warning of crowded clinics and new infections daily. Countries must take steps to reduce the risk of transmission and strengthen their health systems to better detect and respond to dengue outbreaks.