Contents
-
news
-
Health
Dengue cases increased across the US, nearly tripling from last year; Hereās what causes this deadly infection
Dengue fever is spreading across the Caribbean and the Americas, with a record 12.6 million suspected cases of the mosquito-borne virus this year, nearly triple the number from last year. The World Health Organization has said that deaths due to dengue fever, which is spread by the bites of mosquitoes infected with dengue virus, are also increasing. Read on to know everything about the infection, its symptoms and ways to prevent its spread.
There have been more than 7,700 deaths in the Caribbean and the US so far in 2024, an increase of more than 200
Dengue fever cases are rising rapidly across the Caribbean and the Americas, with a record 12.6 million suspected cases of the mosquito-borne virus this year, nearly triple the number last year, health officials said. According to scientists, dengue is on the rise globally as warmer weather due to climate change is enabling mosquitoes to spread everywhere.
The World Health Organization has said that deaths due to dengue fever, which is spread by the bites of mosquitoes infected with dengue virus, are also increasing.
According to the data, there have been more than 7,700 deaths in the Caribbean and the US so far in 2024, an increase of more than 200 percent compared to 2,467 deaths in 2023.
Jarbas Barbosa, director of the Pan American Health Organization, said the number of cases across the region, which includes the United States, is the highest seen since record-keeping began in 1980. āThis is directly linked to climate events,ā he said. Reference to hot temperatures, drought and floods. According to experts, population growth, unplanned urbanization and poor sanitation have contributed to the rise of dengue.
what is dengue fever,
Dengue is a disease caused by the bite of a mosquito caused by one of the four types of dengue virus, or DENV. This infection is not contagious from one person to another, except when it is transferred from a pregnant woman to her baby. usually, dengue symptoms are gentle; However, if symptoms worsen they can become life threatening.
Experts say warning signs of severe dengue usually appear 24-48 hours after your fever resolves.
Symptoms and signs of dengue
According to doctors, even though most dengue infections donāt cause symptoms, even if you do have symptoms, they include:
- rash
- intense pain behind your eyes
- nausea or vomiting
- Pain in muscles, bones and joints
Typically, symptoms of dengue fever begin to appear four to 10 days after a mosquito bite and last for three to seven days. About 1 in 20 people with dengue will develop a serious infection after the initial symptoms subside.
How do you manage dengue symptoms?
Doctors say the only way to treat dengue is to control its symptoms. You can do the following:
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water and fluids
- rest as much as possible
- Treat body pain with acetaminophen
- Donāt take ibuprofen or aspirin, as they can increase your risk of life-threatening internal bleeding
Dengue prevention measures
You can protect yourself from dengue by avoiding mosquito bites and getting vaccinated. For security, you must:
Use insect repellents that contain 20-30 percent DEET
Cover exposed skin outside, especially at night when mosquitoes are more likely to be around
Remove standing water from buckets or barrels, birdbaths and old tires and fill low spots where water collects.
Repair window and door screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home
use mosquito net at night
If you are pregnant, avoid traveling to areas where dengue is common if possible
When traveling, be sure to check with the CDC before you leave to see if there are any disease outbreaks at your destination
Get the latest news live on Times Now with breaking news and top headlines from around the world.
