Since 2023, the world has faced an upsurge of dengue transmission characterized by the number, size, and concurrence of multiple outbreaks and the spread to areas previously free of dengue. Also, serotypes that had not circulated for several years in some areas were identified.
Situation in the Region of the Americas
The Region of the Americas reported the largest proportion of the global burden. 2023 was the year with the highest historical record of dengue cases, registering more than 4.1 million new infections. This figure exceeded those of 2019, the year in which more than 3.1 million cases were registered, including 28,203 serious cases and 1,823 deaths. Between epidemiological weeks (EW) 1 and 12 of 2024, a total of 4,257,154 suspected cases of dengue were reported, resulting in a cumulative incidence of 451 per 100,000 population. This figure represents an increase of 304% compared to the same period in 2023 and 495% compared to the average of the last 5 years.
This situation poses a major public health challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that the risk is high worldwide, taking into account the growing risk of transmission and the increase in cases and deaths.
Read the latest Situation Report and Epidemiological Update for the most updated information:
Key Technical Documents +
DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS
Technical note: Algorithm for laboratory confirmation of dengue cases
STRATEGIES AND PLANS
Integrated Management Strategy for Arboviral Disease Prevention and Control in the Americas
Plan of Action on Entomology and Vector Control 2018-2023
Global Vector Control Response 2017 - 2030
RISK ASSESSMENT
Risk Assessment for public health related to Dengue in the Americas Region - 12 December 2023
Guidelines, Handbooks and Trainings
EMERGENCY APPEAL
PAHO's Response to current Dengue Outbreak - Emergency Grade 3
PAHO is assisting communities and providing technical assistance to Member States to strengthen health care and outbreak response capacity through the deployment of experts and technical advice in affected countries, focusing on surveillance, transmission control, laboratory services, planning, communication and community engagement activities.
PAHO/WHO encourages Member States to continue efforts to maintain surveillance, early diagnosis, and timely treatment of dengue cases and other arboviruses. At the same time, the Organization calls for the intensification of preparedness actions within healthcare services to facilitate access and proper management of patients.
PAHO/WHO has been actively collaborating with Member States to strengthen health care and surveillance capacity, through the deployment of experts in affected countries, the regular publication of guidelines, the provision of epidemiological surveillance materials, and technical assistance to national authorities, including advice on the decision to access new technologies to reduce the severity of dengue, such as the recently approved vaccines.
In addition, PAHO provides other available resources, such as the online course on Clinical Diagnosis and Management of Dengue on the PAHO/WHO Virtual Public Health Campus.
In order to strengthen regional and national capacity for vector prevention and control, PAHO/WHO is:
- Implementing of the Action Plan on Entomology and Vector Control 2018-2023. The Plan's activities are aimed at supporting the Integrated Management Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Arboviral Diseases in the Americas and the Global Vector Control Response 2017-2030.
- Supporting Member States to ensure that specialized entomology and vector control technicians and public health workers receive regular training, continuing education and professional development.
- Mobilizing local and regional governments and communities, including local health services, for sustainable commitment to entomology and vector prevention and control.
- Collaborating with Member States in the access and correct use of vector surveillance and control methodologies in their countries, as well as evaluating the implementation of new technologies for the control of Aedes aegypti.
Laboratory and Clinical Care +
Laboratory: The efforts to enhance laboratory capacity for the diagnosis and detection of arboviral diseases in the Americas have included the development and standardization of diagnostic algorithms for arboviruses.
Recent activities involved hosting webinars to educate and prepare laboratory responses to outbreaks of arboviral diseases. Additionally, support has been provided for the distribution of reagents used in serological and molecular tests, ensuring that laboratories across the region have access to necessary resources. Support has been provided to strengthen laboratory capacity for timely and accurate diagnosis and detection of cases throughout the region.
The Arbovirus Diagnosis Laboratory Network of the Americas (RELDA), which works to ensure efficient laboratory surveillance and robust installed capacity to respond to outbreaks and epidemics, has been strengthened to face the introduction of new dengue serotypes and the re-emergence of other arboviral diseases, such as chikungunya, Zika, and the West Nile virus, all of which are currently circulating in the region alongside dengue. Recently, RELDA established recommendations for the genomic surveillance of Arboviruses, diagnostic algorithms were updated, and progress was made with the entomo-virological surveillance guides.
Clinical care: A package of interventions has been prepared for countries to strengthen clinical care. This includes the development and dissemination of treatment guidelines, the provision of virtual training materials, a virtual classroom to train the trainers, and the organization of subnational networks of clinical instructors who provide local-scale clinical training.
The establishment of the National Network of Clinical Experts in Arboviral Diseases has also been a key component of a comprehensive approach. This network operates under the direct coordination of national health authorities, with members designated by these authorities. The network facilitates the transfer of technological knowledge, standardizes case management practices, and ensures an ongoing program of continuous education for its members.
Furthermore, there has been significant expansion during 2023 of the online course on Clinical Diagnosis and Management of Dengue on the PAHO/WHO Virtual Campus of Public Health. This self-learning course is aimed at specialist doctors, general practitioners, nursing staff, as well as medical and nursing students, and all personnel who in one way or another are involved in the care of patients suspected of having dengue, at all levels of healthcare, but mainly at the first level of care.
Additionally, PAHO/WHO experts are being periodically deployed in countries that are being affected by major outbreaks, and advice to member countries for the decision to access new technologies to reduce the severity of Dengue, such as the newly approved vaccines.
Planning, Comunication and Community Engagement +
Planning: Since 2020, PAHO/WHO has been collaborating with the Hipolito Unanue Andean Health Agreement (ORAS-CONHU) to strengthen national technical capacities in arbovirus control in Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.
Communication and Community Engagement: PAHO/WHO is encouraging families and communities to adopt source reduction measures aimed at eliminating mosquito breeding sites in and around homes and the use of personal protection by family members during the day.
In addition, PAHO/WHO advises Member States on risk assessment and risk communication. The generic communication materials available are easily adaptable for use in national campaigns.
