On Oct. 8, 2024, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) announced an epidemiological alert and urged countries in the Americas to strengthen their dengue response plans as cases continued to rise across the region. 2024 marked a record number of engue cases and transmission season has begun in South America. PAHO emphasized the importance of surveillance, early diagnosis, and timely care to prevent severe cases and fatalities.

PAHO underscored that the Region of the Americas had reported over 11.7 million dengue cases as of September 9, 2024 – more than double the number of cases reported in 2023. All four serotypes of the dengue virus were circulating in the region with increased the risk of severe illness.

The Southern Cone subregion has experienced a significant surge in cases, with increases of over 250% compared to the same period in 2023. While the case fatality rate has remained relatively low in the subregion, the possibility of increased cases could lead to more severe outcomes and place a burden on health systems.

PAHO is urging Member States to prioritize surveillance, early diagnosis, and timely care for dengue and other arboviruses. This includes taking timely measures to strengthen health systems, train healthcare workers, and provide clear guidance to patients and families.

PAHO also recommends that health facilities prepare to manage a potentially larger number of dengue cases during peak transmission seasons, ensuring adequate patient flow and clinical care. The Organization offers a free virtual course on dengue management through its Virtual Public Health Campus and provides guidelines for clinical diagnosis and treatment.