DENGUE ALERT MADRID | Concerns about dengue in Madrid: twice as many cases as in 2023

Cases dengue registered in the Madrid Community, in 2024 there were increased to 76, all imported, representing a doubling of the number reported for the same 2023 period.This is evidenced by the latest data from the Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control Department of the General Directorate of Public Health Surveillance.

This same week World Health Organization (WHO) warned about increase in dengue cases due to climate change and globalization, among other reasons. According to the latest data, as of June 20, there have been more than 9.6 million cases of dengue fever (4.7 million confirmed), more than 19 thousand severe cases and more than 5 thousand deaths.

There has been an increase in the number of cases especially pronounced in the Americas region, where the number of cases is three times higher than reported for the same period in 2023, highlighting the acceleration of this health problem. Currently, 90 countries have active dengue transmission.

Upward trend in the Community of Madrid

trend in the Community over the past two years indicates an increase in dengue cases, with 138 cases in 2023 and 124 in 2022, and a significant jump from 2021, with a five-year low of 13.

In pIn the first 24 weeks of 2024, up to June 16, there were 76 cases.s, which is double (+105.4%) the figures recorded in the same period last year, according to data from the latest weekly epidemiological bulletin of the Community of Madrid, collected by Europa Press.

Thus, the epidemic index (IE) – the number of cases registered up to the corresponding week of the current year, divided by the number of cases registered during the same period of the previous year – in the region is 2.5, which means a high incidence.

One of the 10 threats to global health

Dengue is an infection caused by the virus of the same name. Transmitted through the bite of the Aedes mosquito., which are widespread in areas of Central and South America, the Caribbean and South Asia. It is found among 10 threats to global public healthAccording to WHO.

In Europe, reported cases are mostly travel-related. However, since 2010, sporadic cases of dengue have been reported in five countries: Croatia, France, Italy, Portugal (Madeira) and Spain. In 2023, autochthonous cases were reported in three countries: Italy (82), France (45) and Spain (3).

However, so far In 2024, no local cases of dengue fever have yet been reported in Europe.although summer has not yet begun when mosquito vector activity begins.

WITH Prevalent in more than 125 countriess, this virus causes every year 390 million infections and 500,000 hospitalizations worldwide and it is the second most diagnosed cause of fever in travelers returning to Europe from endemic countries.

Increased presence of tiger mosquitoes in Spain

One of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, known as tiger mosquitoes, are potential vectors for dengue.. It is an invasive mosquito that is black in color with a white line from the head to the thorax and white spots on the legs and abdomen.

This is an insect native to Southeast Asia but now found on all five continents. and has spread rapidly throughout Europe since it was discovered in Albania in 1979. In 2004, it was first discovered in Catalonia and has since spread first along the Mediterranean coast and then in the interior and urban areas, with a presence also punctual in the Community of Madrid.

In the specific case of the region, the General Directorate of Public Health In 2018, the Community of Madrid discovered the presence of the tiger mosquito in the urbanization of Velilla de San Antonio., whereas a year earlier, eggs of this species and adults were not found. Since 2016, the Community of Madrid has established an entomological surveillance network for tiger mosquitoes.

Very dependent on weather conditions, especially sensitive to drying out, they reproduce in small containers that accumulate stagnant water for more than a week. Reproductive periods vary depending on temperature, with periods of greatest activity estimated to be between May and November.

Their The bites are very irritating and sometimes cause allergic reactions of varying severity.. They can transmit diseases such as dengue, zika and chikungunya, although the likelihood is low because they are not common diseases in the Madrid community.

Although there is currently no specific treatment for dengue fever, early detection and appropriate medical care to manage cases can significantly reduce mortality.