Dengue Cases Surge in Latin America

Dengue fever cases in Latin America surged to 13 million in 2024, a 300% increase compared to the average of the last five years, driven by climate change and extreme weather, reports the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Red Cross teams have reached 180,000 people with prevention efforts. However, experts warn that climate change will continue to increase the risk of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases, highlighting the urgent need for targeted public health action.

Epidemics typically occur every three to five years, but experts from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) noted that the situation is now more severe than ever. "Dengue has been a major threat to public health in Latin America for decades, but never more than now," the IFRC stated.

In Mexico, Dengue fever cases surged by more than 146% in 2024, with 56,548 confirmed cases, compared to 22,950 in 2023, as reported by MBN. Jalisco remains the epicenter of the dengue outbreak, accounting for 42% of confirmed cases, with 14,732 infections reported this year, up from just 600 cases in 2023. Likewise, Nuevo Leon has seen a sharp rise, reporting 8,124 confirmed cases, up from only 58 last year. Other states, including Morelos and Guerrero, have also experienced significant increases, with 6,112 and 6,263 cases, respectively, compared to 3,307 and 1,876 in 2023. 

The rapid spread of dengue is driven by climate change, with extreme weather events like heatwaves and storms creating ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. Shrinking water reserves, stagnant water in containers, discarded tires, and debris also contribute to the problem. Additionally, rapid urbanization and poor drainage systems in many cities promote mosquito populations, increasing the risk of transmission. These climate impacts, combined with growing poverty and inequality, are putting families at greater risk, reports the Red Cross Climate Centre. Poor sanitation and lack of adequate water storage facilities further contribute to the problem, creating breeding sites in items like uncovered water containers, tires, and flowerpots.

In response to the growing dengue crisis, Red Cross teams so far have launched extensive operations in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama. Through support from the Disaster Response Emergency Fund, they have reached 182,000 people, focusing on prevention and awareness campaigns, mosquito breeding site elimination, fumigation, and distributing resources such as safe water containers, filters, repellents, and mosquito nets. Efforts also include training local health workers in managing dengue cases in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure.

Looking ahead, experts warn that climate-sensitive infectious diseases like dengue, chikungunya, and Zika are projected to increase in the coming decades due to the warmer, wetter conditions that support mosquito breeding. A 2023 Climate Centre brief identified dengue, malaria, yellow fever, and leishmaniasis as some of the most significant vector-borne diseases in the Americas, affecting an estimated 500 million people. The report stresses the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the impacts of climate change on public health in the region.