By Samira Larbie
Accra, June 16, GNA – Global health experts have called for intensified dengue fever prevention efforts as more than half of the world’s population remains at risk of infection.
The call coincided with the observance of World Dengue Day on June 15, held under the theme, “One World Against Dengue.”
A statement issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and copied to the Ghana News Agency said dengue affected an estimated 390 million people annually, placing a significant burden on health systems and communities worldwide.
It said dengue, one of the fastest-spreading mosquito-borne diseases globally, remained preventable through effective measures to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and reduce exposure to mosquito bites.
The statement urged households to regularly empty and clean containers that collect water, cover water storage tanks and buckets, dispose of waste properly and adopt personal protection measures against mosquito bites.
“Small actions at home can make a big difference for families and communities,” health advocates noted, emphasizing the importance of community participation in preventing outbreaks.
The statement attributed the increasing spread of dengue to factors including climate change, rapid urbanisation and increased global travel, which have facilitated the disease’s expansion into new geographical areas.
It said the trend underscored the need for coordinated action by governments, communities and individuals to strengthen prevention and control efforts.
As part of this year’s observance, stakeholders called for increased public awareness, stronger vector control measures and sustained community engagement to reduce the impact of the disease.
They encouraged citizens to take proactive measures to protect themselves and their communities, noting that individual and collective action remained critical to preventing outbreaks.
“Every outbreak prevented is a community protected,” the campaign message stated, urging people around the world to unite in the fight against dengue.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Samira Larbie