Dengue is rising across Latin America, and new research reveals who is most at risk. This review highlights the key factors linked to severe disease, like secondary infections, certain symptoms, and vulnerable age groups—so you can recognize danger early and stay protected.
Climate change is accelerating dengue risk across Latin America, with new high-resolution models showing that global warming could add millions of infections in the coming decades. Research from Colón-González et al. reveals that limiting warming to 1.5 °C dramatically reduces future dengue cases, shortens transmission seasons, and offers major public health benefits for Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and other vulnerable regions.
Brazil is facing a major dengue surge in 2024, driven by the reemergence of the DENV-3 serotype after 15 years. New surveillance data reveal nearly 2 million suspected cases in just three months, with women, children, and Indigenous people disproportionately affected. As climate pressures, social inequality, and low immunity collide, Brazil now accounts for much of Latin America’s rising dengue burden, highlighting urgent gaps in vaccination, mosquito control, and equitable healthcare access.
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes transmit dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, but chikungunya dominates infection rates in Mérida, Yucatán. This study highlights how mosquito density influences transmission and why accurate surveillance is critical for preventing outbreaks.
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is more than an environmental nuisance, it’s a growing public health risk. A new study reveals that brief exposure to nighttime light can double the biting rate of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, heightening the risk of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya transmission across Latin America’s rapidly urbanizing regions. As cities grow brighter, so does the hidden danger buzzing in the dark.
Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are key vectors behind dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Discover how their feeding habits, infection rates, and adaptability fuel global arbovirus outbreaks.
