Mosquito-borne disease on the increase in Africa as climate change creates favourable conditions

In 2024, the world’s largest epidemic of dengue fever was recorded, with 14.3-million cases reported, according to the World Health Organization.

Although South American countries were hardest hit, cases in African countries increased by 140%, from 48,800 in 2023 to over 118,000 by October 2024.

The map shows where dengue cases were reported in 2023 and 2024. Ethiopia has experienced two dengue outbreaks in the past two years.

There’s a link between climate change and infectious diseases, scientists write in Climate Change & Epidemics 2024, a report released by the Climate Consortium in November 2024.

Increasing temperatures allow diseases such as dengue and malaria, which are spread by mosquitoes, to emerge in places that were previously unaffected.

Dengue fever is viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms, including high fever, severe headaches, muscle pain and skin rashes. In severe cases, it can lead to life-threatening complications like dengue hemorrhagic fever.