Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV), transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. About half of the world’s population is now at risk of dengue, with an estimated 100–400 million infections occurring each year. Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical climates worldwide, but in recent decades it has been shifting and spreading into temperate zones.
Rising temperatures across the WHO European Region due to climate change, combined with rain and increased humidity – conditions more favourable for dengue’s mosquito vectors, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus – may have contributed to the increase in cases. This is compounded by the recent outbreaks in Latin America and southeast Asia, which have increased the likelihood of imported cases in the Region.
This situation poses a major public health challenge. WHO has determined that the threat is high worldwide, considering the growing risk of transmission and the increase in cases and deaths.
Dr Marc-Alain Widdowson leads the High Threat Pathogens team at WHO/Europe. We spoke to Dr Widdowson to find out what we can do to prepare and how we can protect ourselves from dengue.