The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that more than 2.2 million cases of the dengue virus and nearly 1,200 deaths occurred across 97 countries and territories during the first eight months of 2026. As one of the world's fastest-growing mosquito-borne viral diseases, dengue has significantly expanded its geographic reach in recent years.
Health officials attribute this rapid spread to a combination of factors, including the climate crisis, which has led to rising temperatures, and the impact of rapid urbanisation. The WHO estimates that approximately half of the global population is currently at risk, with between 100 million and 400 million infections occurring annually.
Specific regions are currently facing significant challenges. In Bangladesh, the total number of reported cases surpassed 103,000 by October, with more than 300 deaths linked to the virus. Meanwhile, Cuba has documented 11,235 cases so far in 2026. In the United States, Florida is experiencing its largest dengue outbreak in decades, with nearly 300 locally acquired cases reported this year.
