U.S. researchers report that climate change accounts for nearly one-fifth of dengue cases worldwide this year, highlighting the influence of rising temperatures on the spread of the disease. Dengue cases have surged, driven by climate shifts allowing mosquitoes to inhabit new areas. The study also explores promising strategies for reducing transmission, such as using Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes.
Recent research conducted by U.S. scientists reveals that climate change has contributed to nearly one-fifth of the record dengue cases observed globally this year. The study emphasizes how rising temperatures facilitate the spread of the dengue virus, traditionally limited to tropical and subtropical regions. The results suggest a significant increase in vulnerability to dengue outbreaks in areas that are warming as temperatures rise into the ideal range for mosquito proliferation. Lead researcher Erin Mordecai from Stanford University highlighted that approximately 19% of current dengue infections can be attributed to climate change that has already occurred, indicating a direct link between global warming and health risks associated with dengue. The study encompassed data from 21 countries in Asia and the Americas, underscoring the global nature of this public health concern. In an effort to combat the dengue epidemic, researchers have been exploring innovative solutions, such as breeding mosquitoes infected with a bacterium called Wolbachia. Initial results from Niteroi, Brazil, demonstrated that this approach could effectively reduce transmission rates, offering a promising avenue for public health strategies aiming to curtail the surge in dengue cases linked to climate influences. Overall, with an alarming rise in dengue infections, estimated figures suggest more than 12.7 million cases so far this year—nearly twice the previous record. Experts caution that the true numbers may be significantly higher due to underreporting. These findings illuminate the urgent need for addressing climate change to mitigate its impact on public health conditions such as dengue fever.
Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes and is characterized by fever and severe body aches, and in some cases, can be fatal. Historically, dengue has been endemic to tropical and subtropical regions, but climate change has extended the habitat of the mosquitoes that transmit the virus. The increase in global temperatures has opened new territories for mosquito populations, potentially leading to a rise in dengue cases worldwide. The current research is pioneering in linking health impacts of climate change to disease outbreaks, with a particular focus on the dengue virus as an exemplar due to its sensitivity to climatic variations and the consequential rise in temperature.
In conclusion, the research indicates a critical link between climate change and the rising rates of dengue fever, with projections suggesting that the ongoing warming may substantially increase case numbers in previously unaffected regions. Moreover, innovative interventions using Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes show promise in controlling dengue outbreaks, exemplifying proactive public health measures in the face of climate-induced health risks. The combined findings underscore the pressing need for strategies to address and mitigate climate change as a determinant of health.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
