Mexico is currently grappling with a significant rise in dengue cases, with nearly 24,000 reported infections.

The country has seen a staggering 324% increase in dengue cases up to July 17, 2024, with a total of 23,856 cases. This figure is a significant jump compared to the 5,632 cases reported during the same period in 2023. The number of fatalities due to the disease has also risen from 13 to 49, according to data from the Ministry of Health.

The majority of these confirmed cases, 51% to be precise, are concentrated in the state of Guerrero, which has reported 4,084 cases. This is followed by Tabasco with 2,802 cases, Veracruz with 1,936 cases, Michoacán with 1,786 cases, and Chiapas with 1,669 cases.

The fatalities are spread across various states, with Tabasco reporting 10 deaths, Guerrero nine, Morelos eight, Quintana Roo seven, Veracruz six, and Michoacán four. The State of Mexico has two fatalities, while Colima, Oaxaca, and Puebla each have one.

The latest data reveals that 12,647 of these cases are non-severe dengue, while 11,209 are classified as dengue with warning signs and severe dengue. Health authorities have highlighted that due to climate change, dengue has become a permanent health concern rather than a seasonal disease.

The surge in dengue cases is attributed to the transmitting mosquito becoming resistant to certain insecticides and adapting to survive at altitudes up to 1,800 meters above sea level, conditions it previously could not withstand.

Dengue symptoms resemble those of the flu, including a general feeling of illness, widespread pain, headaches, and fever. In severe cases, known as hemorrhagic dengue, vital organ function can deteriorate, potentially leading to death.