Global dengue fever. Where to for the rest of 2024?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) more than 7.6 million cases of dengue fever have been reported globally up to April 30, 2024. This is a marked increase in reported cases over the past 5 years. More than 16,000 severe cases and 3,000 deaths were reported.

This report also notes a substantial increase in the number of cases recorded in South America in the first few months of 2024.

Alert for Central America, Mexico & the Carribean

In late May 2024, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert about the dengue fever risk for countries in Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. This is based on the current record-breaking outbreak observed in the Southern Cone and Andean regions of South America.

Countries in the southern areas are more likely to have outbreaks in the first half of the year and those to the north are more likely in the 2nd half of the year. The outbreak this year (2024) in Brazil and surrounding countries represents a 416% increase on the previous 5-year average annual numbers and over double that observed in 2023. Read about Brazil's dengue vaccine roll-out.

Intending travellers to this region should take note of this warning.

Cases Rise in South Asia

Sri Lanka has also reported a significant increase in dengue fever cases in 2024, prompting local health authorities to issue heightened warnings. The rise coincides with monsoon-related mosquito breeding conditions and underscores the growing regional threat across South Asia. Read more about the dengue outbreak in Sri Lanka.

Dengue Fever is a Global Problem

Dengue Fever should not be viewed as an exotic disease confined to tropical countries where a particular mosquito is found - Dengue cases are appearing in low-risk areas.

While dengue fever can be acquired by local transmission in northern Australia, it is mostly imported from other countries and diagnosed on return. It could also provide unpleasant memories of a hospital stay while away.

Over dengue 1600 cases have been reported in Australia for the year to 26 May 2024. This is a substantial increase on the 5-year average. In Western Australia, year-to-date (30 June 2024), the number is 335 as against 108 for the same period in 2023. This likely reflects short term holiday makers to Bali. For Indonesia, mosquito-borne diseases are more common during and shortly after the wet season (March peak).

Dengue Prevention for Travellers

Travel immunisations and medical kits are important but so is information on preventable diseases like dengue fever,

Understanding the disease, mosquito avoidance measures and times of highest risk are very important if you want to avoid becoming a statistic.

Find out more about Dengue Fever Vaccination in Australia.