Why is it in the news?

• Dengue cases in Latin America and the Caribbean have surged, with more than 5.9 million cases reported between January and April 2024, compared to 4.4 million in the whole of 2023.

More about the news

• Rising global temperatures have created ideal conditions for mosquito breeding, leading to a spike in dengue cases.
• Brazil is the worst affected country, with over 4.2 million cases and more than 2,000 deaths reported so far in 2024.
• Other countries like Peru, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile are also facing severe outbreaks, with some declaring a state of emergency.
• Climate change, including warmer temperatures and extreme weather events, has contributed to the spread of dengue by increasing mosquito populations and extending the transmission season.
• Rapid urbanization, especially in shantytowns with poor sanitation, provides ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
• Efforts to develop a dengue vaccine face challenges due to the virus’s four strains, with existing vaccines having limitations such as high cost or restricted use to those who have already been infected.
• Several vaccines are in development, including one by Brazilian researchers using weakened forms of all four strains, but widespread rollout is not expected for at least a couple of years.