Dengue is a disease common in sub-tropical and tropical areas. Its symptoms include high fever, petechial rashes, and body aches. But some infected individuals do not exhibit symptoms of this disease at all. For a long time, the United States has been safe from this illness. Now, this illness has breached the barrier. This illness is now affecting areas in the country that was safe from it before.
The Case of an American Tourist
A woman named Meg Norris was touring Argentina back in April. She started exhibiting signs of this disease. It was warm in Salta, south of Bolivia’s border. Norris, from Boulder, Colorado, wore a fleece sweater to reduce her shivering. At first, she thought it was sun poisoning. But that night, she woke up sweating. She experienced freezing and burning alternately. The next day, her lymph nodes were swollen, and her eyes hurt. For about a week, she did nothing but stay hydrated and sleep. She waited for the body aches to subside as well.
A dengue outbreak is happening in Latin America. The cases in the first four and a half months are 238% more than those at the same time last year. Research says that the unusually warm and wet season due to El Niño. This change in weather has made conditions perfect for mosquitoes to get infected with dengue and spread the disease. Mosquitoes have even started to carry large amounts of the virus.
What Scientists Think
Researchers say that this situation is a preview of what dengue will be like in years to come. Changes in the planet’s climate are creating mild conditions that are increasing the number of mosquito-borne diseases. Dengue is spread through mosquito bites. It is a common disease in tropical areas. But because of the recent climate changes, it is already spreading in more temperate climates. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are now found in the southern United States. They also have been found in the north (Washington D.C. and the Bay Area).
Why Dengue Cases are Increasing
Studies reveal that America suffers from dengue every three to four years. But the progression of climate change is causing a yearly crisis. The warming climate is broadening the viable habitat of mosquitoes, allowing them to multiply all year instead of only during the warmer months. High temperatures cause different viruses to multiply faster. This increases the possibility of having more infected people.
South America is suffering from high cases of dengue early this year. Puerto Rico usually experiences dengue outbreaks in the summer and autumn. But it declared a public health emergency in late March. This happened after this U.S. territory was overwhelmed by dengue. At least 400 people were admitted to the hospital. Argentina and Brazil did not have a health crisis before but now suffer from a dengue epidemic.
Dengue Can Take Hold of the United States
The presence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes beyond their normal habitat does not mean that the disease is spreading in those areas. Scientists say that these mosquitoes are warning signs of what could happen in the future. This mosquito-borne disease is starting to become more common. Dengue cases related to travel often result in a chain of outbreaks. People who have been bitten can easily spread dengue to other people.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease. Protecting yourself and your loved ones from mosquito bites is the only way to prevent this disease from spreading. Wear long sleeves or pants. Apply mosquito repellent and use treated mosquito nets when traveling. Keep your living environment clean and free of stagnant water as well.