In Berlin 39 confirmed cases of the tropical disease dengue fever have already been registered this year. That is significantly more than in the period before the corona pandemic, according to the current weekly report from the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lageso). In the years 2015 to 2019, the average value was 18. Two patients had to be treated in hospital this year.
In the most recent reporting week at the end of March alone, 13 cases were reported, of which only one has been confirmed so far. Further confirmation is still pending. According to Lageso, this is the highest number ever reported since the Infection Protection Act came into force in 2001.
According to Lageso, those affected were only infected abroad. With the beginning of the mosquito season, there is also a risk of becoming infected in Berlin in the medium and long term. The Asian tiger mosquito, which has already been detected in the capital, can do this virus transmitted from infected people to others.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the dengue virus was found almost exclusively in tropical and subtropical regions for many decades, especially in cities. In recent years it has expanded further geographically.
Brazil is one of the known dengue fever areas. The country is currently experiencing what is probably the worst dengue outbreak in its history. Since the beginning of the year, 1.9 million probable infections with the dengue virus have been registered in the South American country, the Ministry of Health announced.
The heavy rains and high temperatures of the past few months are likely to be the trigger for the sharp increase. The yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti), which usually transmits the dengue viruses, can develop particularly well under these conditions. Dengue fever is sometimes called “bone-breaking disease” because of the pain.
According to the RKI, almost four billion people worldwide live in dengue fever risk areas. It is estimated that around 400 million people are infected with dengue virus every year. Most infections (around 75 percent) are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:240410-99-620009/2
In Berlin 39 confirmed cases of the tropical disease dengue fever have already been registered this year. That is significantly more than in the period before the corona pandemic, according to the current weekly report from the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lageso). In the years 2015 to 2019, the average value was 18. Two patients had to be treated in hospital this year.
In the most recent reporting week at the end of March alone, 13 cases were reported, of which only one has been confirmed so far. Further confirmation is still pending. According to Lageso, this is the highest number ever reported since the Infection Protection Act came into force in 2001.