Dengue: Brazil tops 2 million cases in 2019, Mexico cases double from last year

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews

UN health officials released the latest dengue fever numbers for the Region of the Americas recently and the the total cases now stand at 2,668,877, including 1,162 deaths.

Brazil has reported more than 1 million dengue cases in a year several times–1.5 million in 2016, 1.65 million in 2015 and 1.47 million in 2013. In 2019, for the first time they have topped 2 million cases (2.04 million). Brazil has also reported 676 fatalities.

Mexico has also seen a dramatic increase in dengue this year. In fact, the number of cases have doubled compared to 2018. To date, Mexico has seen 163,662 cases, while last year they reported 78,621.

Other countries in the western hemisphere reporting high numbers of dengue cases include Nicaragua (135,901), Colombia (98,739) and Honduras (81,854).

Dengue is an infectious disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV). It belongs to the genus Flavivirus of the Flaviviridae family, which in turn, belongs to the group of Arboviruses (arthropod-borne viruses).

There are 4 serotypes called DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4. Infection with one serotype produces lifelong immunity against that serotype reinfection. Successive infection with two different serotypes is a risk factor for developing the severe forms of the disease.

All serotypes have been isolated in the Americas. In several countries they circulate simultaneously, creating a serious risk for an epidemic.

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