Dengue fever cases are rising globally, worrying experts. The virus is spreading to areas where it wasn’t found before, including the United States.
Treatment options for dengue fever are very limited. As global case numbers break records, researchers are rushing to find real solutions. New developments promise innovative approaches to dengue prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Where Are Dengue Cases Increasing?
Dengue fever increasingly prevalent in areas that didn’t have it before. Last week, California reported its fourth local case of dengue fever in 2024. The patient hadn’t traveled or been exposed to infected people in L.A. County. California had its first two cases of dengue fever last year.
Local cases of dengue have also appeared in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2024. In past years, instances of dengue occurred in Texas, Hawaii, and Arizona. As cases surge in tropical and subtropical areas, U.S. travelers risk getting infected.
By June, 745 people in the United States had contracted dengue fever. Last year, 5 million people worldwide were affected by dengue. These cases were in 80 countries, with at least 23 reporting outbreaks. This year has seen more than twice the number of cases compared to 2023. Over 1,000 people have died of dengue fever so far in 2024.
Much of this increase in dengue cases comes from climate change. Warmer temperatures have increased incidents by 18% in the Americas and Asia. A future rise of 40–57% is expected by the middle of this century.
How Is Dengue Treated?
There is currently no antiviral or specific medicine to treat dengue fever. Doctors focus on keeping patients hydrated and managing their fevers.
Health workers in countries where dengue is common exemplify how to manage it well. Knowing dengue symptoms and problems helps them find it early and act fast. Organized and experienced responses like these are key to saving lives.
One-on-one care to monitor symptoms is hard with recent surges in cases. New methods are needed to reduce the spread and impact of dengue fever.
Is There a Dengue Vaccine?
Dengvaxia is the only dengue vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It’s only for children and adults aged 9 to 45 who had dengue before. Giving Dengvaxia to people without prior dengue infection can cause dangerous problems.
New vaccines offer a possible solution to the growing threat of dengue. Japan has produced a two-dose vaccine called Qdenga. Early trials look promising, but current production is too limited to use widely.
Another vaccine finished early trials at Brazil’s Butantan Institute. The Butantan Dengue Vaccine showed over 80% effectiveness in protecting against dengue. If all goes well, this new vaccine could be approved by 2025.
Indian drugmaker Biological-E will help make up to 50 million doses of Qdenga per year. Making more should lower costs. Still, Qdenga is unlikely to get regulatory approval before 2030.
Making vaccines for dengue is slow because the virus has four different strains. People can get a different strain than the one from their first infection.
What New Solutions Are on the Horizon for Dengue?
Other medical breakthroughs offer new chances for dengue control. Researchers at Yale have a new system to track dengue types. Knowing the virus’s forms may help make better vaccines. Using genetic data, their report questions current definitions of dengue variants. Finding more specific dengue strains helps scientists focus on the most harmful ones.
An unusual solution offers hope for the future. The World Mosquito Program (WMP) uses mosquitoes to reduce disease spread. Dengue transmits through two mosquito species: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Wolbachia bacteria stop viruses from passing from insect to human. By breeding mosquitoes with Wolbachia, the WMP hopes to spread this protection. The program greatly impacts Brazil, one of the countries most affected by dengue.
Climate change is bringing the risk of dengue to new areas. Ongoing, rapid medical research can fight its worrying rise and spread.
Have an upcoming trip? Passport Health offers a wide variety of options to help keep you safe, including dengue vaccines. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.
Logan Hamilton is a freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.
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