Dengue: global situation, surveillance and progress – 2024 update

Overview

Global epidemiological overview – 2024

In 2024, dengue was transmitted at unprecedented levels worldwide. WHO received reports of 14434584 cases, including 7718585 laboratory-confirmed, 52738 severe and 11201 deaths in all 6 regions. Transmission surged between February and May and remained high in several areas throughout the final quarter, reflecting the growing climate sensitivity of the virus and the increasing presence of Aedes mosquitoes in urban environments.

Table 1 illustrates the distribution of reported, confirmed, severe and fatal cases by country. The Region of the Americas accounted for more than 90% of the global total of cases. Brazil alone reported over 10 million cases and 6321 deaths. Other countries with large epidemics included Argentina (581 559 cases), Mexico (558 846), Colombia (320 982), Paraguay (295 785), Peru (271 531), Guatemala (188 585) and Honduras (177 209). In South-East Asia, Indonesia (257 271 cases) and India (232 425) also experienced extensive outbreaks linked to monsoon-related transmission cycles.

The South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions collectively contributed more than 1 million cases, primarily in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Viet Nam. The African Region recorded a sharp rise, with notable outbreaks in Burkina Faso and Cabo Verde. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, recurrent epidemics occurred in Pakistan, while limited autochthonous transmission was reported in southern Europe and Réunion. Overall, 2024 marked the highest global dengue burden ever recorded, with cases reported in more than 100 countries (Figure 1). The data demonstrate both the record magnitude of transmission and continuing expansion of the virus into new geographical and climatic zones.