Climate Change Fuels Surge in Global Dengue Cases, Research Reveals
A study from US researchers reveals that climate change accounts for nearly 20% of dengue cases globally in 2023. The research highlights that rising temperatures enable the spread of the disease into new areas, with significant increases projected over the next 25 years. A potential solution, involving Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes, shows promise in combating the disease’s spread. The urgency of addressing climate impacts on health is paramount.
Recent research by US scientists indicates that climate change is responsible for approximately 20% of this year’s unprecedented rise in dengue fever cases worldwide. This investigation seeks to underscore how rising temperatures facilitate the proliferation of diseases. According to Erin Mordecai, an infectious disease ecologist at Stanford University, dengue fever serves as an excellent model disease due to its sensitivity to climatic variations. Dengue fever, primarily transmitted through bites from infected mosquitoes, is characterized by symptoms such as fever and pain, and can sometimes be fatal. Historically prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical climates, the recent warming has allowed mosquitoes to encroach into new regions, thus expanding the reach of dengue. In their unpeer-reviewed study, researchers analyzed the relationship between increasing temperatures and dengue infections in 21 countries across Asia and the Americas, finding that approximately 19% of current global cases are linked to climate-related warming. Temperatures ranging from 20 to 29 degrees Celsius are particularly conducive to the spread of dengue, with estimates suggesting that regions in Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, and Brazil may experience a 200% increase in dengue infections over the next 25 years due to climate change. Furthermore, around 257 million individuals currently reside in areas projected to see a doubling of dengue cases as global temperatures rise, posing further health risks. As reported, the World Health Organization noted over 12.7 million dengue cases globally by September, although the true figure may reflect up to 100 million cases due to significant underreporting. Additionally, the research presented at the annual American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene meeting highlighted a prospective biological intervention through the breeding of mosquitoes infected with the bacterium Wolbachia, which can impede the transmission of dengue. In Niteroi, Brazil, where Wolbachia mosquitoes were released, the rise in dengue cases was minimal during the nation’s worst outbreak this year, revealing a hopeful avenue for large-scale protection against the disease in the context of climate change.
The connection between climate change and health outcomes, particularly concerning vector-borne diseases like dengue, is an emerging area of research. Dengue is predominantly found in tropical regions, but climate change is enabling its spread to new geographical areas as temperature increases facilitate the expansion of mosquito populations. This topic is gaining attention as public health officials strive to understand and mitigate the implications of climate-induced health risks, especially with the alarming rise in dengue cases noted in recent reports by health organizations globally.
The recent findings indicating that climate change contributes significantly to the surge in dengue cases emphasize the urgent need for global climate action. Furthermore, they underline the importance of developing innovative interventions such as the deployment of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. The multi-faceted approach combining climate adaptation and health strategy could be pivotal in combating the rising threat of diseases exacerbated by our changing planet.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
