Peru has declared a state of emergency in 20 regions of the country due to a record outbreak of dengue fever that has killed more than 80 people this year, mostly in the Amazon area and on the northern coast. As of August, more than 73,000 cases had been registered nationwide, a more than 100% increase from the same period last year, when about 31,000 cases were reported. The areas with the highest rates of dengue fever are Piura, where the health system has already collapsed, as well as Ucayali, Loreto and Ica. Lima, which usually reports a low rate of dengue cases, has already confirmed more than 5,000 cases this year.
Dengue is a common disease in tropical areas and causes high fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and, in the most severe cases, hemorrhages that can lead to death. The government in Peru is attempting to eradicate the mosquito that transmits dengue fever in an effort to control the outbreak. The health minister, Rosa Gutierrez, said that $10 million has been made available to fight the disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in April that dengue and other diseases caused by mosquito-borne viruses are spreading further due to the effects of climate change. According to the WHO, dengue is endemic in 100 countries but poses a threat to 29 others.
Dengue is indeed a major public health concern in Latin America and the Caribbean, where an estimated 70% of dengue cases occur. The disease is spread by the Aedes mosquito, and the type of mosquito that carries dengue has been expanding its range due to climate change and increased urbanisation, making transmission more common. Other factors contributing to the spread of dengue include poor water management, irregular water supply and the accumulation of waste products.
The Peruvian government is not alone in grappling with dengue. Earlier this year, Bangladesh had its worst outbreak of the disease since record-keeping began in 2000, with more than 80,000 cases reported. Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Cambodia also reported significant increases in dengue fever cases.
In 2016, the WHO reported that dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease in the world, with 390m cases per year, four times more than just a decade ago. The rise in dengue cases is a concern for public health officials and governments worldwide, as health systems are often unable to cope with the large numbers of patients that require medical attention during a dengue outbreak.
Efforts to combat dengue involve vector control measures, such as the use of insecticides and improvement in water management. Improving access to medical care and educating people about how to prevent mosquito bites are also crucial components in reducing the incidence of dengue.
Overall, the global trends of increasing temperatures and the continued urbanisation of populations in tropical regions are likely to lead to the continued spread of dengue fever and other diseases transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. Therefore, addressing the root causes of the problem, such as climate change and poor and inadequate water and waste management, will be key to reducing and preventing the spread of this and other mosquito-borne diseases.
