The Aedes mosquito, which transmits dengue fever, multiplies due to high temperatures and heavy rainfall. The WHO warns of a dramatic spread of the disease. There are also more and more Aedes mosquitoes in Europe.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned about the spread of the dengue virus – also in Europe. The disease is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which are native to tropical and subtropical climates. But they are spreading worldwide.
Since 2000, the number of annual cases has increased eightfold, to an estimated 4.2 million last year, said Raman Velayudhan, head of the WHO’s neglected tropical diseases department, in Geneva. Climate change with high temperatures and heavy rainfall favors the reproduction of the Aedes mosquito.
Infections also in Spain and France
Velayudhan warned: “Now half of the world’s population is at risk of dengue”. In Europe, the Aedes mosquito has already spread to over 24 countries. Since 2010, states have regularly reported cases of dengue. There have already been local infections in around two dozen countries, including Spain and France. According to the European health authority ECDC, no local infections have been reported this year.
Heatwaves with particularly high temperatures are more likely to dry out mosquito breeding grounds and reduce the risk of being bitten, Velayudhan said. But he called on all countries to be vigilant when rain sets in again. The mosquitoes breed in standing water.
disease can dangerous be
Overall, the WHO assumes up to 400 million infections worldwide. It is difficult to estimate because 80 percent of those affected have hardly any or only mild symptoms when they first become infected and do not go to the doctor at all. You are then immune to one of the four dengue viruses. In the case of a second infection with one of the other three viruses, the disease could be more severe and life-threatening, said Velayudhan. Dengue fever was formerly called breakbone fever because it can cause severe body aches.
By July this year, North, Central and South America had reported as many infections and deaths as all of last year, Velayudhan said. In 2022 there were 2.8 million infections and 1280 deaths.
Antipyretics only
There are no medications for dengue except those that reduce fever. There is a vaccine on the market, but it only offers protection after an initial infection, and it is more or less effective depending on which other virus you contract. Velayudhan said the best thing to do is protect yourself with mosquito spray and avoid standing water around the house because mosquitoes breed in it.