United States: Health experts in the United States are raising serious concerns about the surge in tropical and insect-borne viruses, signaling a growing threat to the country’s health. Warning bells have been sounded as the nation grapples with an increasing number of these diseases, with experts highlighting the unpreparedness of the US to handle the potential dangers posed by these viruses.
During a two-day workshop convened in Washington DC by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, health professionals emphasized the alarming trend. They pointed out that even non-tropical regions within the US are becoming conducive to the spread of arboviral threats, including diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks.
The worry among experts stems from the fact that the United States has become a fertile ground for diseases like malaria, Zika, and dengue fever. Recent years have witnessed numerous outbreaks and transmissions of these illnesses, as reported by Newsweek.
The primary drivers behind this worrying spread, according to health experts, are the increasing trends of globalization and climate change. These factors have created favorable conditions for the proliferation of these diseases in regions across the southern, eastern, and western United States.
Thomas Scott, a medical entomologist and professor emeritus at the University of California, Davis, expressed grave concern about the situation, stating, “If we continue with the current inaction, the situation will deteriorate. The consequences of not taking action are immense, unacceptable, and unethical,” as reported by Newsweek.
The ability of the United States to monitor and track insects has significantly diminished over time, according to a report by National Public Radio (NPR). Erin Staples, a medical epidemiologist with the CDC, highlighted the decline in the number of entomologists dedicated to tracking these vectors. In 1927, each state had its entomologist, but presently, only 16 states retain this specialized expertise, severely hampering the nation’s capacity to monitor viruses like West Nile, as per Newsweek.
The World Health Organization’s chief scientist, Jeremy Farrar, issued a warning predicting an uptick in dengue infections in the United States by the year’s end. He cautioned that cases of the disease could extend beyond tropical areas to regions in Northern America, Europe, and southern parts of Africa.
Dengue fever, known for causing severe skin rashes, high fever, headaches, vomiting, joint pain, and muscle spasms, poses a significant health risk. Statistics from Newsweek and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that around 5% of those infected will suffer from severe impacts on blood health, while approximately 1% may succumb to the virus.
Globally, dengue fever predominantly affects regions in Asia and Latin America, claiming about 20,000 lives annually, according to official data. Recent reports from the Associated Press have also highlighted a surge in dengue fever cases in Mali, West Africa, with the director general of health and public hygiene expressing concern about the increasing fatalities and infections in the country. As of December 4, the department reported 21 deaths and 60 cases attributed to the disease.