Dengue: Climate change causes outbreaks (WHO)
- Posted on 19/04/2023 19:05
- Film
- By abelozih@sante-education.tg
Extract from the article: In a briefing note dated 5 April 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of the increase in dengue, Zika and chikungunya outbreaks linked to climate change.
In
a briefing note dated 5 April 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned
of the increase in dengue, Zika and chikungunya outbreaks linked to climate
change.
The
figures released by the World Health Organisation are very telling and show a
dramatic increase in dengue cases. Reported cases have increased from 505,430
in 2000 to 5.2 million in 2019. In 2022, the US region reported 2.8 million
cases and 1,280 deaths.
This
upward trend continues in 2023, where up to the end of March, 441,898 cases and
119 deaths have been reported. A high number of cases have been reported in
Sudan, with 8,239 cases and 45 deaths since July 2022.
Climate
change has played a key role in facilitating the spread of mosquito vectors.
The report identifies several risk factors for disease transmission, such as
increased movement of people and goods, urbanisation, water and sanitation
problems, heavy rainfall, increased temperature and even water scarcity. As the
temperature rises, the time for the parasite to develop in the mosquito becomes
shorter within reasonable temperature limits. The colder it is, the longer it
takes for the parasite to become infectious in humans. In
Togo and some other countries in the region, 80% of dengue cases are found in
urban areas. These mosquitoes like to breed in containers, while in the city we
like to store water in barrels, troughs and flower pots.
Most
people who contract dengue do not have symptoms, the WHO says. But for those
who do, the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea
and rash. Most recover within one to two weeks. Some people develop severe
dengue and need to be treated in hospital. In the most severe cases, dengue can
be fatal. To reduce the risk of dengue fever, WHO urges people to avoid
mosquito bites, especially during the day.
Jean
ELI
