WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — The Office of the Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights (REDESCA) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is expressing concern about the growing public health crisis derived from the dengue outbreak that affects several countries in the Americas, including the Caribbean.

REDESCA is calling on countries in the region to implement public policies with an approach based on human rights for the protection of the life, health and personal integrity of all people.

“Dengue is a disease transmitted primarily by the bite of the infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. This disease affects people of all ages, with symptoms that can range from a mild fever to a disabling fever, accompanied by severe headache, pain behind the eyes, pain in muscles and joints, and erythema,” said REDESCA, which is an office created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).

It warns that the disease can progress to severe forms, mainly characterised by shock, respiratory distress and/or severe organ damage.

It said that the distribution of this disease covers practically the entire region, putting approximately 500 million people at risk.

According to the latest report published by the Pan American Health Organization, between epidemiological weeks one and 11 of this year, more than three million suspected cases of dengue and a total of 1,187 deaths had been reported.

“The contagion figures represent an increase of 286 per cent compared to the same period in 2023. Dengue has a disproportionate impact on poor and vulnerable populations, including indigenous communities, where the lack of access to basic health services and vector control aggravates the situation.”

REDESCA said that although it is a disease that has become endemic in many countries in the region, there has been an exponential increase in its incidence, exceeding previous annual records and extending to areas beyond the historically affected areas.

“This phenomenon is driven by several external factors, such as climate change and the effects of El Nino phenomena, which causes increased temperatures, precipitation and extreme weather events.

“Added to these are the insufficiency of prevention and control measures by health authorities, and rapid urbanisation accompanied by large population movement, all factors that contribute to the spread of the disease. This situation affects the right to life, personal integrity and health of people in the region, exacerbating existing inequalities and disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable groups.”

It said that based on the best scientific evidence available, it is necessary to evaluate the implementation of vaccination strategies against the disease as a way to prevent, contain and stop its transmission, taking into consideration the recommendations of the PAHO and the PAHO Technical Advisory Group (GTA) on Vaccine-Preventable Diseases.

“This evaluation and the decisions that may be made must be focused on a public health and human rights approach, taking into account the principles of equality and non-discrimination, social participation, access to information and accountability.”

It is urging member states to guarantee equitable and timely access to medical care, as well as health goods and services for all people affected by dengue, under conditions of equality and without discrimination.

Also, REDESCA is urging states to implement effective adaptation and prevention measures such as public dissemination campaigns focused on the elimination of mosquito breeding sites, strengthening epidemiological surveillance and early diagnosis.