Latin America is experiencing the worst dengue outbreak in its history, with more than three and a half million confirmed cases and more than 1,200 deaths during the first quarter of the year. It is a disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and, in the most serious cases, can cause death.
The head of the Tropical and International Medicine unit at the Vall d’Hebron Hospital, Israel Molina, explained in Toni Clapés’ Versió RAC1 program that right now “dengue is an epidemic, an outbreak within the regions where it is usually to be there normally”. He has asked for peace of mind and has announced that a vaccine is now available.
Unlike other diseases, such as the Zika virus, which can be transmitted through sexual relations, dengue is not spread except through mosquito bites.
Dr. Molina explained that a few months ago an increase in dengue cases has been noticed in Catalonia. “They are people who live here, but who are from other countries and who went to visit family for Christmas, when it was already a time of transmission of the infection,” he detailed. And he has predicted that cases will multiply.
The doctor responsible for the Tropical and International Medicine Unit of the Hospital de la Vall d’Hebron also sees it as very difficult for it to spread in Catalonia at such a high level as in Latin American countries.
He has also explained that the tiger mosquito is from the same family as the Aedes aegypti and, therefore, a potential transmitter of the disease. But he has assured that the situation is not comparable with that of other regions of the world.
The Pan American Health Organization attributes the situation, in large part, to climate change. High temperatures, with large heat waves and intense droughts, cause the population to store water inadequately. This favors the reproduction of mosquitoes.
The most affected country is Brazil, with more than 1,000 confirmed deaths, 1,600 under investigation, and more than three million cases. That is 80% of those on the continent, while Paraguay, French Guiana, Argentina and Peru are also going through a critical situation.
