Why is US experiencing a dengue outbreak? Is climate change to be blamed? Details here
Europe may have read it in books as the outbreaks are mostly confined to the tropics of the world. This may not be the case anymore, as a report indicates that the region will experience a greater number of cases in the coming years.
Situation in Latin America
Parts of this region are experiencing the worst outbreak of dengue fever. In the first four and a half months of 2024, a record increase of 238% as compared to the previous year was recorded. Last year, 4.1 million cases were recorded, according to the 'Pan-American Health Organization'. This is more than 400% of the five-year average. Why exactly is this a hotspot for the breakout of Dengue?
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This tropical disease grows in areas where temperatures are hot and humid and wet alternatively. This is a mosquito-borne vector disease. The region is experiencing the effects of El Nino Southern Oscillation when countries in the region experience a wet phase in El Nino and a dry phase during the La Nina phase. This climate change is causing frequent outbreaks of dengue in the region.
Outbreak of dengue in North America
Generally, local outbreaks were confirmed once in three years. However, now this has increased to an outbreak every year. The warm temperatures in the US which are only increasing every year is leading to more breeding of mosquitoes throughout the year rather than during the summers. This has been attributed to climate change.
In late March, Puerto Rico which is a US-held territory declared
