Dengue And Chikungunya Rates Could Be High This Summer In The Americas

(CTN News) – Dengue and chikungunya outbreaks in the Americas could reach alarming proportions this summer, according to the World Health Organization.

Climate change has exacerbated mosquito-borne illnesses in many parts of the world, which is a result of its effects on the environment.

• Dengue is perceived to be more prevalent in the summer months due to the higher temperatures, said José Luis San Marin, regional adviser for dengue prevention and control for the Pan American Health Organization, which is affiliated with the World Health Organization.

• It is very probable that as we enter the second half of the year, we will see widespread transmission of the disease in Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and other parts of the southern U.S.,” he told Axios Latino.

There is a chikungunya outbreak in Paraguay, where the summer just came to an end, which has been described by experts as one of the worst in South America. This year, there have been at least 115 deaths in the country.

• According to the data, there have been record numbers of chikungunya cases in the Western Hemisphere every week this year, continuing an upward trend from last year.

• As of today’s figures, there have been 36% more dengue cases reported in the Americas than the same period of last year’s average over the same period. It is likely that they will rise further in the future, San Martín said.

• For example, in the U.S. last year there were more than 1,100 dengue infections, while in 2020 and 2021 the number of dengue infections was only about 300 and 100, respectively, during these years.

There is no vaccine to prevent Chikungunya, Zika, and Dengue, all of which are spread by mosquitoes called Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

• It is characterized by sudden fevers, joint pains, headaches, and rashes. There are most often mild cases of this infection, but it tends to be more severe in newborns, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions such as diabetes.

• It is important to seek medical attention if one experiences nausea or vomit, according to San Martn.

In order to prevent these illnesses, it is recommended that you use mosquito repellent, wear long-sleeved clothing, and install window screens, according to the CDC.

• Getting rid of stagnant water and accumulated trash is also important in order to prevent the spread of virus-carrying mosquitoes.

• Human conduct is one of the major challenges associated with these illnesses: everyone is responsible for eliminating breeding grounds.

Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are among the “neglected tropical diseases” identified by health officials worldwide.

• There are more than 1 billion people worldwide suffering from such diseases – mainly in impoverished areas with inadequate sanitation – but they are not given sufficient attention or funding, according to the World Health Organization.

• While some vaccines are currently being developed, there are no antiviral treatments or preventative immunizations available for most of these diseases.

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