The World Health Organisation has announced a new global plan to combat dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases that are spreading faster due to climate change.
The plan, revealed on Thursday, aims to coordinate efforts worldwide to address the growing threat.
“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 WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Dengue cases have surged in recent years. WHO reported that over 12.3 million cases, including more than 7,900 deaths, were recorded in the first eight months of 2024 alone. This is almost double the 6.5 million cases reported in all of 2023.
Dengue, which is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, can cause high fever and body pain, but many infected people show no symptoms. WHO estimates that between 100 million and 400 million people are infected each year globally.
As the planet warms, the Aedes mosquito’s range is expanding, contributing to the rapid spread of the disease. Other factors, such as unplanned urbanisation, poor sanitation, and increased international travel, have also worsened the situation. WHO said dengue is now endemic in more than 130 countries, putting an estimated four billion people at risk.
WHO’s new plan focuses on improving disease surveillance, strengthening laboratory capacity, controlling the mosquito population, and developing better treatments and vaccines. The agency says $55 million in funding is needed to implement the plan in the next year.
Tedros emphasised that everyone has a role to play in fighting dengue. “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,” he said.
“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.”
By 2050, the number of people at risk of contracting dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases like chikungunya and zika could reach five billion, according to WHO.
