Nearly half of the world's population is at risk from dengue fever. Diagnosed cases have increased eightfold in the last decade, a rise fuelled by global warming. August 26 marks the International Day against this disease endemic in more than 100 tropical and subtropical countries, which is beginning to affect new areas, including Europe.
The Centre for the Coordination of Alerts and Health Emergencies (CCAES) reported yesterday that last February Germany reported two cases of dengue (one confirmed and one probable), along with four cases compatible with epidemiological links, in residents of Germany who had travelled to Ibiza during the incubation period. One of the potential vectors of dengue is the Aedes albopictus mosquito, which was first detected in Ibiza in 2014. According to the CCAES, the risk of new autochthonous cases appearing in Ibiza, "at this time of low vector activity, is considered low".
The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended granting marketing authorisation for the tetravalent dengue vaccine (live, attenuated) Takeda. The vaccine is intended to prevent disease caused by dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4 in people aged four years and older. Although an approved vaccine already exists, according to the EMA, this quadrivalent vaccine shows increased protection in children and people over 45 years of age.