There has been a surge in dengue cases in the Caribbean and Latin America, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

More than 3.5 million cases and more than 1,000 deaths have been reported in the region up to March 26.

Director of PAHO Jarbas Barbosa has described the surge in dengue cases as a cause for concern for the region.

“This is cause for concern, as it represents three times more cases than those reported for the same period in 2023, a record year with more than 4.5 million cases reported in the region,” Barbosa said.

Regionally, the hardest-hit countries are Brazil (83 per cent), Paraguay (5.3 per cent), and Argentina (3.7 per cent), which account for 92 per cent of cases and 87 per cent of deaths.

This increase is attributed to the higher transmission season in the southern hemisphere, when the dengue vector Aedes aegypti mosquito thrives due to warm and rainy weather.

There is also an uptick in Barbados, Costa Rica, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique and Mexico, where transmission is usually higher in the second half of the year.

Barbosa pointed to the presence of the mosquito vector and cases in new geographical areas, raising concerns that some countries may not be prepared to face an increase in transmission.

Several environmental and social factors contribute to the spread of dengue, including rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and the El Niño phenomenon.

Rapid population growth and unplanned urbanisation also play a crucial role: poor housing conditions and inadequate water and sanitation services create mosquito breeding sites through discarded objects that can collect water.

Barbosa also emphasised the importance of taking prompt action to prevent and control dengue transmission and avoid deaths, noting that “despite the record increase in cases in 2023, the dengue case fatality rate in the region remained below 0.05 per cent”.

This, he noted, “is very encouraging, considering the spikes in cases we have seen since then”.

This accomplishment has been possible due to PAHO’s support to countries since 2010 through a comprehensive strategy to control dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

This strategy includes strengthening surveillance, early diagnosis, and timely treatment, which has contributed significantly to saving thousands of lives.

Barbosa called for action, urging intensified efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and protect against mosquito bites, increase preparedness in health services for early diagnosis and timely clinical management, and continuous work to educate the population about dengue symptoms and when to seek prompt medical attention.

“Facing the dengue problem is a task for all sectors of society,” Barbosa said, calling for “community engagement in order to succeed in our efforts”.