Dengue: over 12 million cases worldwide

In 2024, the dengue epidemic exceeded 12 million cases globally. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that approximately 4 billion people are currently at risk of contracting the disease, with this number projected to reach 5 billion by 2050. The proliferation of urbanization, climate change, and socio-economic factors – including the dissemination of chronic diseases – have created an environment conducive to the proliferation of the disease. There is no known cure for dengue, but two vaccines have already been developed. Dengvaxia appears to be effective for individuals previously infected with the virus, whereas Qdenga, which has been implemented in countries such as Brazil, has demonstrated the potential to reduce outbreaks. The global threat posed by the dengue virus is becoming increasingly evident, with a rise in cases observed in Latin America, Africa, and South-East Asia. Despite the progress made in medical science, the principal strategy for containing the epidemic remains the prevention of infection through the control of mosquito populations and the promotion of vaccination.