Dengue Fever Update: A Significant Explosion -- In Early 2024 Infection Rates, In Central And South America...

Dengue is a high-burden mosquito borne virus, resulting in debilitatingly high fevers in perhaps 4.5 million humans a year, who are bitten. While a vaccine exists, its limited approved patient population (ages 9 to 16) should be carefully considered, along with the costs ($119, for the three doses) -- because in a typical year, about 3,000 people will die from the virus. But this year, given the 3X explosion in cases -- just in the Spring -- that death toll may eclipse 10,000. . . if more aggressive measures are not employed -- and employed rapidly, now.

It is typical that the rate of viral infections will accelerate from Spring well into early Fall -- which could see over 15 million cases presented, by then.

Perhaps the most effective advice inside South America at least will be to be religious about sleeping every night in netting, in the Southern Cone. Here's all the latest, from the ever-reliable Univ. of Minnesota's CIDRAP site:

. . .At a media briefing today, top officials with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned that cases in region are running three times higher than last year at this time, putting the region on track to break last year's record of 4.5 million cases. Jarbas Barbosa, MD, PAHO's director, said countries in the Southern Cone, including Brazil, Argentina, and Brazil, are experiencing summer surges.

He added, however, that countries that typically see dengue rises in the second half of the year are also seeing upticks in cases, including Barbados, Costa Rica, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique, and Mexico. So far, the region has recorded 3.5 million cases, about 1,000 of them fatal.

Health officials urged countries to double down on mosquito control efforts and to support the ability of healthcare providers to recognize and treat cases early. . . .

Onward -- to Easter then, smiling, just the same. We remember how many Easters? thrice -- and, our late and long departed good friend and client (and mentor, in all things), with this post. Sail free, man. . . .

नमस्ते