WHO warns of endemic dengue in Europe and the United States

Jeremy Farrar, the chief scientist of the World Health Organization (WHO), has issued a warning about infectious diseases, particularly dengue. In an opening interview during the Health Summit, Farrar noted that climate change could transform dengue into an endemic disease in parts of Europe and the United States.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease and typically associated with tropical and subtropical regions, where warm, humid conditions provide a favorable environment for mosquitoes carrying the virus to reproduce. However, Farrar warns that this perception is changing as the mosquitoes that transmit dengue are expanding into more temperate regions, like Europe and the United States.

As climate change continues to raise temperatures, dengue is likely to become permanently established in these previously unaffected areas. The spread of this tropical disease in non-tropical regions raises serious concern, as health systems in these regions are not prepared to deal with a potentially fatal disease. and that requires intensive medical attention.

Farrar emphasizes that dengue is particularly dangerous for children, as hospitalization of a child with this disease often involves intensive care. The prospect of dengue becoming an endemic disease in Europe and the United States could place significant pressure on health systems in these regions. The additional burden of dengue cases could overwhelm hospitals and increase demand on medical resources, which could negatively impact overall healthcare.

This call to action from the WHO chief scientist is not limited to just the spread of dengue, but extends to the need to address climate change as a global health issue. Farrar argues that, so far, not enough has been done to communicate the impact of climate change on public health and to underline the urgency of addressing this problem.

In his own words, Farrar states: “We have not defended the climate as a health issue. We have not argued that this is actually the last chance of a century. “We need to change the narrative.” His call to change the narrative on climate change reflects the pressing need to consider climate risks as a public health issue and mobilize concrete actions to mitigate their impact.

Climate change not only affects health through the spread of infectious diseases, such as dengue, but is also linked to a number of health problems, such as heat waves, droughts, floods and respiratory diseases. Addressing climate change is not only essential to protect the environment, but also to safeguard the health and well-being of present and future generations.

Jeremy Farrar’s words remind us that the fight against climate change is a priority that goes beyond protecting the planet; It is a matter of preserving the health of humanity and ensuring a sustainable future. Prevention and early action are crucial to prevent infectious diseases like dengue from becoming endemic in new places due to climate change, and it is the responsibility of the global community to effectively address this threat.

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