WHO Unveils Global Strategy to Combat Dengue, Arboviruses

The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a new global strategy to address the growing threat of dengue and other Aedes-borne arboviruses, including Zika and chikungunya. The Global Strategic Preparedness, Readiness, and Response Plan (SPRP) aims to reduce disease burden, suffering, and death through a coordinated international effort. 

With approximately four billion people at risk of infection—expected to rise to five billion by 2050—the plan is designed to address the increasing incidence of these diseases, which have surged across all six WHO regions. By the end of August 2024, dengue cases reached 12.3 million, nearly double the 6.5 million reported in all of 2023, according to the WHO. This surge prompted alarm among WHO officials, leading to the classification of the global dengue outbreak as a grade 3 emergency in December 2023, the highest alert level, signaling the need for urgent action to support countries in managing the outbreak.

The SPRP emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, multi-sector approach that involves governments, healthcare providers, and communities working together to control the spread of Aedes-borne diseases. Factors such as unplanned urbanization, poor water and sanitation infrastructure, climate change, and increased international travel have contributed to the rapid geographical expansion of dengue, making the disease endemic in more than 130 countries. Similar trends are also being observed for other mosquito-borne diseases, such as Zika and chikungunya, with the Oropouche virus recently emerging in the Americas.

The plan outlines priority actions across several critical areas, including improving surveillance systems, enhancing clinical management, and engaging communities in local prevention and response measures. It also stresses the need to strengthen health services so that patients can receive timely and effective care, particularly in regions where healthcare infrastructure is already strained by other public health challenges. Given the alarming rise in dengue cases, research and innovation are key pillars of the SPRP, promoting the development of better diagnostic tools, treatments, and vaccines to combat dengue and other Aedes-borne diseases. 

The plan will be implemented over the course of a year, requiring US$55 million in funding to support preparedness and response activities. This funding will enable the development of new technologies, improved surveillance, and more effective vector control strategies, ultimately helping to safeguard populations from the escalating threat of Aedes-borne diseases. Through a coordinated response, WHO aims to reverse the current trajectory of dengue and other arboviral diseases, ensuring better health outcomes for millions worldwide.