Mosquitoes are appearing earlier in Argentina and reaching colder regions as rising temperatures drive the country's worst dengue outbreak and raise the risk of more regular epidemics of the mosquito-borne virus. Aedes aegyptithe scientists said.
So far, in the 2023/24 season, Argentina has registered 232,996 cases of the disease, also known as “break-bone fever” due to the severe muscle and joint pain it can cause, in addition to high fever, headache, vomiting and skin rashes.
This number is well above the previous all-time record of 130,000, recorded last season, and five times higher than the number recorded in the same period last year, according to the latest official figures. Cases typically spike in late summer, around March and April, but they started much earlier this season.
“The increase in the number of mosquitoes at the end of spring is getting earlier and earlier,” said Sylvia Fischer, doctor in biological sciences and researcher at the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (Conicet).
Scientists are seeing the disease more than before in colder regions further south in Argentina, Fischer added.
“These are all places where, a few years ago, the disease could not be found,” she said, adding that this reflects a broader regional trend in which mosquito season is being extended by warmer weather, in part linked to climate change.
“If I had to extrapolate, I would say that we have the possibility of having dengue epidemics perhaps every year.”
In Argentina, this year's outbreak has overwhelmed hospitals and left shelves empty of insect repellent, with sellers raising prices when they have stock. The government is facilitating imports of mosquito spray to meet demand.
“I have a lot of patients hospitalized because of dengue fever,” said Leda Guzzi, an infectious disease doctor, who added that while most cases are not serious, the large number of cases could lead to a more deadly outbreak next year as people are reinfected.
“The disease has spread tremendously and we really think next year will be very difficult because there will be a lot of second episodes of dengue.”
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
