J. Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Latin America is the region that reports the highest number of dengue fever cases in the world. This vector-borne disease has seen a significant increase in the number of global infections in recent years, reaching approximately 6.5 million cases and 7,300 deaths in 2023. It is estimated that nearly half of the world's population is at risk of contracting dengue and that the disease is endemic to around 100 countries. From January to April 2024, approximately 5.9 million people were affected by dengue fever in Latin America and the Caribbean, which is around 1.5 million cases more than in the whole previous year.
The disease has four serotypes, with infections ranging from asymptomatic to severe, and it can potentially be fatal. Complications are found in a relatively small proportion of cases. In Brazil, for instance, out of three million infections reported in 2023, 1,179 resulted in death. Severe cases have a higher probability of arising with a second infection caused by a different serotype of the virus. That year, all four dengue serotypes were reported in Brazil. This serotype variation presents regional and seasonal diversity, differing from country to country, and from year to year.
Regional variations
Dengue is a seasonal and cyclical disease, which means that countries in Latin America experience peak values during different months of the year and that large outbreaks take place every two to five years. In Brazil, for instance, the highest number of cases is usually reported between March and May, while in Mexico, this happens between June and October. As of April 2024, the current outbreak has been particularly acute in South American countries and has seen incidence rates higher than in previous periods. This eruption in cases has been attributed to various factors, such as the phenomenon of El Niño and climate change.The disease has four serotypes, with infections ranging from asymptomatic to severe, and it can potentially be fatal. Complications are found in a relatively small proportion of cases. In Brazil, for instance, out of three million infections reported in 2023, 1,179 resulted in death. Severe cases have a higher probability of arising with a second infection caused by a different serotype of the virus. That year, all four dengue serotypes were reported in Brazil. This serotype variation presents regional and seasonal diversity, differing from country to country, and from year to year.
Dengue in Brazil
Brazil has seen a substantial increase in dengue cases, with the country’s incidence rate rising to 2,318 infections per 100,000 people in the first months of 2024. In addition, the country accounts for a large share of cases and deaths from the disease in Latin America, with over 80 percent of total infections and more than 75 percent of all deaths reported in Brazil. In order to mitigate the spread of dengue, the Brazilian government has been implementing various strategies, including a vaccination campaign aimed at the most vulnerable groups, carried out with the Japanese-made vaccine Qdenga. However, cases are still rising, and different approaches could be necessary for both containment and future prevention.
