Climate Change Fuels Global Dengue Surge

19 Nov 2024 CW Team

The research, led by Stanford and Harvard Universities, offers the strongest evidence yet of the link between rising temperatures and increasing dengue infections. The analysis predicts a potential 40-60% spike in cases by 2050, with some regions, including parts of Latin America, facing up to a 200% increase.

India is among the nations grappling with a surge in dengue cases this year, reflecting the global trend. In the Americas, reported cases have skyrocketed to nearly 12 million in 2024, up from 4.6 million in 2023. Locally acquired infections in California and Florida highlight the disease's expanding footprint.

“We found a clear and direct relationship between rising temperatures and rising infections,” said Erin Mordecai, infectious disease ecologist at Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment. “Our data suggest the impact of climate change on dengue could get much worse.”

While efforts to moderate global warming by reducing emissions could temper dengue's spread, the study notes that even with significant carbon cuts, 17 out of 21 countries analyzed will still see climate-driven increases in infections.

The findings emphasize the urgency of addressing climate change, as areas newly entering the 20–29°C "sweet spot" for dengue transmission—such as parts of Peru, Mexico, and Brazil—face the most dramatic risks. Researchers warn infections in these regions could rise by 150-200% over the next few decades.

With no specific treatments and limited vaccine adoption, combating dengue's growing threat requires global climate action to mitigate future impacts.

Amid a record year for dengue infections globally, climate change has been identified as a key driver behind the disease's surge. A new study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) has attributed 19% of the rising dengue burden to climate change. The research, led by Stanford and Harvard Universities, offers the strongest evidence yet of the link between rising temperatures and increasing dengue infections. The analysis predicts a potential 40-60% spike in cases by 2050, with some regions, including parts of Latin America, facing up to a 200% increase. India is among the nations grappling with a surge in dengue cases this year, reflecting the global trend. In the Americas, reported cases have skyrocketed to nearly 12 million in 2024, up from 4.6 million in 2023. Locally acquired infections in California and Florida highlight the disease's expanding footprint. “We found a clear and direct relationship between rising temperatures and rising infections,” said Erin Mordecai, infectious disease ecologist at Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment. “Our data suggest the impact of climate change on dengue could get much worse.” While efforts to moderate global warming by reducing emissions could temper dengue's spread, the study notes that even with significant carbon cuts, 17 out of 21 countries analyzed will still see climate-driven increases in infections. The findings emphasize the urgency of addressing climate change, as areas newly entering the 20–29°C sweet spot for dengue transmission—such as parts of Peru, Mexico, and Brazil—face the most dramatic risks. Researchers warn infections in these regions could rise by 150-200% over the next few decades. With no specific treatments and limited vaccine adoption, combating dengue's growing threat requires global climate action to mitigate future impacts.

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

Escorts Kubota Unveils BS V Next-gen Construction Range at Excon 2025

Escorts Kubota (EKL), one of India’s major engineering groups in the agricultural and construction equipment sectors, unveiled its latest BS V–compliant construction machinery line-up at Excon 2025. The refreshed portfolio underscores the company’s push toward application-driven, high-productivity solutions that reduce ownership costs and meet the needs of India’s expanding infrastructure landscape. With demand rising across urban development, industrial logistics and mining, the new range aims to deliver higher performance, durability and operator comfort.In the earthmoving segment, E..

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

ACE and Kotak Mahindra Bank Join Hands to Boost Backhoe Loader Financing

Action Construction Equipment (ACE), the world’s largest Pick-n-Carry crane maker and a leading manufacturer of material handling and construction equipment in India, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Kotak Mahindra Bank to enhance the availability of flexible financing options for backhoe loader customers across the country.The collaboration aims to support contractors, infrastructure companies, entrepreneurs, SMEs, and emerging businesses by offering smoother access to credit through customised loan schemes, quicker turnaround times, and the extensive footprint of Kotak M..

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Suraj Estate Wins Euromoney Award for India’s Best Residential Developer

"Suraj Estate Developers Limited has received the Euromoney Real Estate Award 2025 for ‘India’s Best Residential Developer’, positioning the company among globally benchmarked leaders in the sector. The recognition reflects its four-decade legacy in delivering high-quality residential and redevelopment-led projects across South Central Mumbai. The Euromoney Real Estate Awards, presented by the London-based Euromoney magazine, are widely regarded as one of the most credible global assessments of performance in real estate, banking and finance. Winners are selected through surveys of inte..