Brazil Faces Surge in Dengue Fever Cases and Vaccine Shortage
Brazil is facing a significant surge in dengue fever cases, prompting a state of emergency and concerns about the country’s ability to combat the disease. The approval of the Qdenga vaccine offers hope, but limited availability has hindered widespread immunization. With a shortage of doses and a record number of deaths, the country is grappling with the impact of the climate crisis on disease proliferation.
Dengue Fever Outbreak in Brazil Raises Concerns for Americas
Brazil is facing a significant outbreak of dengue fever, with health experts warning of a potential health crisis across the Americas. The Health Ministry of Brazil has issued a warning, anticipating over 4.2 million cases of dengue fever this year, surpassing the 4.1 million cases reported for all 42 countries in the region by the Pan-American Health Organization last year. Experts attribute the current amplified problem to various factors, including El Niño and climate change, leading to an increase in mosquito breeding sites. The virus is expected to progress through the continents, posing a threat to other countries.
Conditional Approval Granted to Takeda’s Qdenga Dengue Vaccine
The Drug Control Authority has granted conditional approval to Takeda’s Qdenga dengue vaccine, recommended by the World Health Organization to combat the alarming spike in dengue cases. With a reported 86.3% increase in cases and 100 deaths in 2023, the approval of the vaccine is a crucial development in addressing the public health menace of dengue fever.
Dengue Fever Surges in Thailand with Over 8,000 Cases in January 2024
Dengue fever is on the rise in Thailand, with over 8,000 reported cases in January 2024. The Disease Control Department (DCD) has issued a warning, urging the public to take precautions against mosquito bites to prevent the spread of the disease. Dr. Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn revealed that the number of dengue cases surged by 91.25% compared to the same period in 2023, with 13 deaths reported. The majority of affected individuals were children between the ages of five and 14, with the southern and central provinces of Thailand reporting the highest number of cases.
Dengue Outbreak Impacting Costa Rica and the Americas
Costa Rica continues to battle an outbreak of dengue fever, with over 1,000 cases reported so far in 2024. The Pan American Health Organization has issued various dengue Risk Assessments, highlighting the endemic nature of the virus in most countries of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The CDC has also reported dengue outbreaks in U.S. territories. However, there is hope on the horizon with two vaccines currently in use in the Americas and several vaccine candidates in development.
New Gene-Editing Tools Show Promise in Controlling Disease-Carrying Mosquitoes
In the ongoing battle against mosquito-borne diseases, scientists have developed new gene-editing tools that show promise in controlling and potentially eradicating disease-carrying mosquitoes. Mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, dengue, West Nile, and yellow fever cause over 700,000 deaths annually, posing…
Study Reveals Shifting Patterns of Dengue Virus in Brazil Following Zika Emergence
A new study published in Nature Communications has shed light on the shifting patterns of dengue virus (DENV) in Brazil, following the emergence of the Zika virus (ZIKV) in 2015. The study, conducted by Francesco Pinotti, Marta Giovanetti, and their…
Island Pharmaceuticals Achieves Milestone in Combatting Dengue Fever
Island Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker ILA, has achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to combat dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases. The company has successfully dosed the third cohort of…
Malaysia Urged to Consider Approval of New Dengue Vaccine
The Health Ministry of Malaysia is urged to consider approving a newly released dengue vaccine to combat the increasing number of cases in the country, according to Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit, a virologist and Universiti Malaya emeritus professor. Dr….
The Global Health Impact of Major Disease Outbreaks in 2023
As the year 2023 came to a close, it was marked by the resurgence of numerous diseases, leaving an indelible imprint on global public health. The ten major outbreaks that unsettled the world included the persistent COVID-19, the emergence of…