Dengue worldwide overview – European Union

Overview

The increase of dengue cases that was previously reported in Guadeloupe continues. In the week ending 10 November 175 confirmed cases were reported and 170 confirmed cases were reported ending 17 November 2024. The current situation is classified epidemic of phase 4 level 1 (confirmed epidemic) (Epidemiological Bulletin, 28 November 2024). The epidemic earlier this year was due to DENV-2 serotype while recently there are increases in the proportion of DENV-3 serotype (100% of the samples tested between 2 and 19 November 2024 were DENV-3 serotype).

In Martinique, 14 confirmed cases were reported on the week ending 10 November and 19 the week ending 17 November. Overall, there is a decrease in the number of cases reported with clinical symptoms of dengue in end of October and beginning of November and the epidemiological situation is characterised as phase 2 (level 2; outbreaks that can evolve or multiple outbreaks with epidemiological links among them). In Saint-Martin dengue circulation continues, but at lower levels (epidemic phase 1), with only sporadic cases or outbreaks without epidemiological links among them reported.

In French Guyana, over 8,000 confirmed dengue cases have been reported since the beginning of 2024 and as of August 2024. However, case numbers have decreased and show a stable trend at lower levels the past weeks after a peak in January 2024 (Bimonthly Epidemiological Bulletin published on 26 September 2024, Health surveillance in French Guyana as of 24 October 2024). Increases in consultations of patients with dengue-like symptoms were reported in Cayenne and the trends are monitored (Health surveillance in French Guiana. Bulletin of December 5, 2024).

Overall, 1,265 dengue cases have been reported in La Reunion since the beginning of the year and as of August 2024. Currently the circulation continues at low levels (moderate circulation). Dengue circulation has also been reported in the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia and Western Pacific WHO Regions according to the reports from the regional offices (EMRO, SEARO and WPRO, respectively), as well as in Africa in October and November 2024. Epidemiological updates and highlights from official reports on dengue circulation in different regions, countries and territories are presented below.

Eastern Mediterranean Region

In the EMRO region, autochthonous cases were reported by Iran in June 2024 for the first time (WHO Disease Outbreak News Item published on 22 July 2024), while dengue has also been reported in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

South-East Asia

According to the SEARO report published on 27 November 2024, in Bangladesh, the total number of dengue cases and deaths in 2024 continue to be at lower levels compared to what had been reported for the same period in 2023 (97,159 cases and 532 deaths in 2024 as of 10 December compared to 317,956 cases and 1,667 deaths as of 12 December 2023). Dengue has been reported in Kerala and Karnataka, India. In both areas the weekly number of cases shows a decreasing trend the last weeks after peaking in the summer. In Kerala, 19,507 cases have been reported until 24 November and in Karnataka, 31,721 cases have been reported for the same period. In both areas the dengue cases reported in 2024 so far are higher compared to the cases reported for the same period in 2023. According to Indian health authorities, as of 31 October 2024, India reported 186,567 cases and 160 deaths. The monthly number of cases continued decreasing in Indonesia after peaking in March-May and over 0.6 million suspected and confirmed cases were reported including over 1,200 deaths reported until the beginning of October. According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, in Nepal, 34,385 cases were reported until 3 December 2024. An increase was reported in the monthly cases from August to September and a decrease in October and November 2024. Overall cases are lower compared to the total number of cases reported in the same period last year.

Western Pacific Region

• According to the WPRO Dengue Situation update of 28 November 2024, generally decreasing trends with week-to-week fluctuations in dengue cases were reported by Cambodia and Laos with 17,088 and 18,488 cases respectively until the week ending 17 November 2024. Similar trends are observed in Malaysia (total 106,773 cases until 12 October 2024) and Singapore (13,058 cases as 16 November 2024). In China, increases in the monthly number of cases continued being reported until September with 11,083 cases reported this month. Overall, 18,687 cases and no deaths were reported in the country in 2024 and until end of October. In Vietnam a decreasing number of cases that is below the 2023 levels, was reported during November (total of 119,824 cases including 20 deaths has been reported in 2024, until 17 November).

Africa

• In Africa, according to the Africa CDC Epidemic Intelligence Report of 25 November 2024 over 150,000 dengue cases have been reported this year in Africa from:
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cameroon
  • Cabo Verde
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Cote d Ivoire
  • Ethiopia
  • Ghana
  • Kenya
  • Mali
  • Mauritius
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Senegal
  • Sudan
  • Togo.

ECDC assessment:

The Americas are currently facing the largest ever outbreak of dengue. As a result, there has been a substantial increase in the number of cases of dengue imported to the EU/EEA since the beginning of the year. 

The likelihood of onward transmission of dengue and chikungunya virus in mainland Europe is linked to importation of the virus by viraemic travellers into receptive areas with established and active competent vectors (e.g. Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti). Aedes albopictus is established in a large part of Europe. In Europe and neighbouring areas, Aedes aegypti is established in Cyprus, on the eastern shores of the Black Sea, and in the outermost region of Madeira. 

The environmental conditions in the areas of the EU/EEA where Ae. albopictus or Ae. aegypti are established are currently unfavourable for mosquito activity and virus replication in mosquitoes; therefore, it is unlikely that locally acquired chikungunya and dengue virus transmissions will occur until conditions become favourable in early summer. All past autochthonous outbreaks of CHIKVD and dengue in mainland Europe have so far occurred between June and November. 

More information on autochthonous transmission of chikungunya and dengue virus in the EU/EEA is available on ECDC’s webpages, and in ECDC’s factsheets on dengue and CHIKVD.

N.B: The data presented in this report originates from both official public health authorities and nonofficial sources, such as news media. Data completeness depends on the availability of reports from surveillance systems and their accuracy, which varies between countries. All data should be interpreted with caution and comparisons, particularly across countries, avoided, due to underreporting, variations in surveillance system structure, varying case definitions between countries and over time, and use of syndromic definitions.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Targets Identified Based on the Article’s Content

• Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

• Number of confirmed dengue cases
• Proportion of dengue serotypes (DENV-2 and DENV-3)
• Number of cases reported with clinical symptoms of dengue
• Number of consultations of patients with dengue-like symptoms
• Number of dengue cases reported in different regions, countries, and territories

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ecdc.europa.eu