Rising Dengue Cases: A World Health Organization Science in 5 Interview with Dr. Raman Velayudhan

In 2024, there was a resurgence of dengue fever outbreaks worldwide, resulting in over 5 million cases and more than 5,000 deaths. This alarming statistic has put a spotlight on the mosquito-transmitted disease and prompted health officials to closely monitor its progress.

Dr. Raman Velayudhan addressed the concerns surrounding the resurgence of dengue fever during a recent interview with Vismita Gupta-Smith on the WHO Science in 5 show, providing valuable insights into the topic. According to him, dengue has become endemic in many countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. In the United States, states like Florida and Puerto Rico have reported cases of both locally acquired and travel-related dengue in 2024.

While there is an approved dengue vaccine available in the U.S., access to it may require pre-admission testing. As healthcare professionals and the public continue to fight against this potentially life-threatening disease, it is crucial for them to stay informed and take necessary precautions to prevent its spread.

Despite efforts to control dengue fever outbreaks through vaccination campaigns and other measures, new areas are still reporting cases of this disease. The resurgence of dengue fever raises questions about why it is appearing in these new places and what can be done to prevent it from spreading further.

In response to these concerns, Dr. Velayudhan emphasized that preventing dengue fever requires a multi-faceted approach that includes improving vector control measures, such as eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed, as well as increasing awareness among healthcare professionals and the public about the importance of taking necessary precautions to prevent its spread.

Overall, while progress has been made in controlling dengue fever outbreaks through vaccination campaigns and other measures, more work needs to be done to prevent this potentially life-threatening disease from spreading further into new areas around the world.