Dengue fever global epidemic ‘IMMINENT’ as deadly mosquito-spread infections soar
A WORLDWIDE epidemic of deadly dengue fever could be imminent as the mosquito-spread disease spreads and infection rates rise dramatically, experts have warned.
By Lucy Domachowski
DailyStar.co.uk
30th March 2019
Dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes and there is currently no vaccine to protect people from it.
The infection is found in southeast Asia, the Caribbean, the Indian subcontinent, South and Central America, Africa, the Pacific Islands and Australia.
Mathematical epidemiologist and expert in infectious disease transmission Hannah Clapham exclusively told Daily Star Online dengue fever is rising due to a wider geographical range.
“There are increasing numbers of cases where there are outbreaks and the geographical range is getting wider,” said Dr Clapham.
“It is very concerning for people.”
Rates of infection have increased dramatically this year with Thailand seeing a four-fold increase in cases compared to last year.
Hospitals are being ordered to set up emergency facilities to deal with the worrying rise in cases of dengue fever since the start of 2019.
Public Health officials have held crisis meetings to discuss what to do amid fears that dengue figures could reach epidemic proportions imminently.
Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Paraguay, Saint Martin, and Venezuela have all reported sharp increases in dengue fever cases.
Children are being particularly affected, according to Doctors Without Borders.
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