Dengue Cases Increase 206% in the Americas

Since 1635, when the first suspected dengue-like epidemics were reported, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that dengue has become endemic in about 125 countries.

Unfortunately, dengue outbreaks have continued in various regions in 2024.

On May 10, 2024, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) published Situation Report No. 16, confirming that 6,769,140 suspected cases of dengue and 1,733 deaths were registered in 2024.

This data reflects an increase of 206% from 2023, when the PAHO reported 4,565,911 dengue cases, including 2,340 deaths (case fatality rate of 0.051%).

The PAHO revealed a subregion Epidemiological Week (EW) update:

Central America and Mexico. As of week 16, dengue cases in the subregion have increased 110% compared to the same week in 2023. The cases reported this week by Mexico have increased by 20% compared to the four previous epidemiological weeks.

Caribbean subregion. Four hundred eighty new suspected dengue cases were registered in EW 16, an increase of 486% compared to the same week in 2023.

Andean subregion. In EW 16, 30,655 new suspected cases of dengue were registered. As of week 16, the subregion presents an increase of 56% compared to the same week in 2023.

Southern Cone subregion. Four hundred thirteen thousand six hundred new suspected cases of dengue were reported in EW 16. As of week 16, the Southern Cone subregion has increased by 276% compared to the same week in 2023. Argentina's cases reported this week rose 39%, Uruguay's rose 29%, and French Guiana's rose 164% compared to the four previous epidemiological weeks.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued Travel Health Notices regarding dengue outbreaks in the Americas (Costa Rica) (Apr. 18, 2024), Africa/Middle East (Apr. 18, 2024), and Asia/Pacific Islands (Apr. 18, 2024).

In the United States, the CDC reported in April 2024 that 37 jurisdictions reported 929 dengue cases in 2024.

From a prevention perspective, dengue is a vaccine-preventable disease.

As of May 2024, the second-generation QDENGA® (TAK-003) vaccine was available in Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, Europe, Germany,  India, Indonesia, Portugal, Thailand, and the U.K. The WHO added QDENGA to its List of Prequalified Vaccines on May 9, 2024. 

However, QDENGA is unavailable in the U.S.

The Dengvaxia vaccine has been authorized in various countries since 2015.

According to a phase 3 clinical study, the Butantan Institute Butantan-DV tetravalent dengue vaccine candidate was efficacious in preventing the disease in Brazil, with a 79.6% success rate.

The CDC suggests international travelers speak with a vaccine advisor for at least one month before visiting a dengue-endemic area in 2024.