GNV News, November 1, 2024
In 2024, global dengue cases have surged to a record high, already reaching 12.73 million, nearly twice the all-time peak recorded in 2023. Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, and most cases are mild, involving fever, rash, muscle pain, and joint pain. It can cause intense bone pain and is also called “breakbone fever.” If left untreated, the risk of severe illness and death rises, especially for children under five and for people with obesity, diabetes, or other comorbidities.
Dengue was generally a disease confined to tropical and subtropical countries with the hot, humid climates favored by Aedes aegypti. As a result, most cases occurred in Latin America, followed by parts of Southeast Asia. However, since 2023, infections have been reported around the world, including Africa, and since 2024, on the European mainland, in China, and elsewhere. One factor is the presence of Aedes albopictus, which can breed across a wider temperature range and is well adapted to urban environments. Climate change, increased migration, urbanization, and heat waves that accelerate the breeding cycle of Aedes albopictus are also fueling the rapid proliferation of mosquitoes. To curb the spread of dengue, there are efforts worldwide to draw insights from countries with long experience of dengue while seeking solutions tailored to each region’s social context.
Learn more about global infectious disease issues → “The current state of underreported global health and medical issues”
デング熱が世界的に感染を拡大しているということは耳にしていましたが、昨年から倍となるほどの拡大になっているとは知りませんでした。数年前「デング熱」と聞けば熱帯地域というイメージしかありませんでしたが、その脅威にも今では無関心ではいられなくなってきたと感じました。とても有意義でわかりやすい記事をありがとうございました！