Thousands in tropical climates are grappling with the most severe dengue outbreak on record, a situation expected to worsen due to the El Niño climate phenomenon.
Dengue fever, a tropical disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, can cause symptoms like headache, high fever, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and, in severe cases, death.
Peru’s health ministry has reported over 130,000 recorded cases and a death toll surpassing 200.
Health officials in Peru have identified the cyclical warming of the oceans and weather patterns, known as El Niño, as a factor contributing to the surge in dengue cases.
El Niño fuels tropical cyclones in the Pacific, resulting in elevated rainfall and increased flood risks in the region. The excessive rainfall provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes due to the accumulation of stagnant water in urban areas.
To combat the outbreak, authorities in Peru have prohibited residents from storing stagnant water in open containers, as this promotes mosquito reproduction. Health Minister Rosa Gutierrez emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging citizens to help eliminate mosquito breeding sites to prevent further spread of the disease.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared the presence of El Niño on June 8, after three years dominated by the cooler La Niña pattern. Scientists have expressed concern about the current year, as the last significant El Niño in 2016 coincided with the hottest global temperatures ever recorded.
In response to the imminent threat posed by heavy rainfall, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte declared a two-month “state of emergency” in 18 of the country’s 24 regions. The decree enables official action to effectively address the situation.
Health Minister Gutiérrez highlighted that the current number of cases and deaths is the highest since 2017 when Peru experienced 68,290 cases and 89 fatalities. The situation calls for concerted efforts to combat dengue and mitigate the impact of El Niño-induced conditions.