Another stake to the vampire’s heart! The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a global plan last Thursday, October 3, to battle the looming and ‘alarming’ threat of dengue and other Aedes-borne arboviruses.

Dengue fever is a disease caused by an arbovirus carried by Aedes mosquitoes, along with Zika and Chikugunya. This is only the tip of the iceberg of what the Center for Disease Control (CDC) calls the ‘world’s deadliest animal.’ 

The WHO launched the Global Strategic Preparedness, Readiness, and Response Plan (SPRP) to tackle dengue and other Aedes-borne arboviral diseases.

“The rapid spread of dengue and other arboviral diseases in recent years is an alarming trend that demands a coordinated response across sectors and across borders,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

The WHO states that half of the world’s population – 4 billion people – is now at risk of dengue with an estimated 100-400 million infections per year.

Dengue epidemics tend to have seasonal patterns, with transmission often peaking during and after rainy seasons. The World Health Organization says that one of the factors increasing the risk of the spread of the dengue epidemic is the consequences of El Niño phenomena and climate change leading to increasing temperatures and high rainfall and humidity.

Along with the other factors impacting the risk of the spread of dengue, changing distribution of mosquitoes, fragile health systems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and instabilities in countries facing humanitarian problems, the world is more at risk of dengue.

To combat this, the SPRP comprises five key components to properly respond to dengue outbreaks: emergency coordination, collaborative surveillance, community protection, safe and scalable care, and access to countermeasures.

“From maintaining clean environments to supporting vector control and seeking and providing timely medical care, everyone has a role to play in the fight against dengue. This plan is a roadmap to turn the tide against this disease and other Aedes-borne arboviral diseases, protect vulnerable populations, and pave the way for a healthier future.” Tedros said in a statement.

The WHO mentioned that the plan will be implemented over one year until September 2025, and requires 55 million USD to support health preparedness, readiness, and response efforts. It is aligned with the Global Vector Control Response 2017–2030, a global strategy to strengthen vector control worldwide, and the Global Arbovirus Initiative, launched in 2022, which focuses on tackling mosquito-borne arboviruses with epidemic potential.  

“Where there is unity there is always victory.” – Publilius Syrus. The success of this plan demands the cooperation of many to defeat the ‘world’s deadliest animal.’

Source: 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/science/922512/who-launches-plan-to-rein-in-alarming-global-dengue-spread/story/