Since early May, officers from the Iranian regime’s Ministry of Health have been sounding the alarm a couple of potential unfold of dengue fever.
They predict a possible surge in infections in September and October, a warning that’s stoking fears amongst Iranians who’re nonetheless affected by the devastating results of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The administration’s failure to acquire vaccines in a well timed method through the COVID-19 disaster has led to the lack of no less than 500,000 lives, the repercussions of that are nonetheless haunting the nation.
Unlike many different international locations, Iran faces main challenges in acquiring the dengue vaccine, with the Ministry of Health deciding to solely administer it to individuals who have beforehand been contaminated or have underlying medical situations, limiting entry and growing public anxiousness.
A worldwide perspective on dengue
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dengue fever is widespread world wide in 2024. In the primary six months alone, greater than 10 million circumstances have been reported worldwide, with greater than 5,000 deaths in 80 international locations. Several components are contributing to this improve, together with local weather change, urbanization, and the proliferation of the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Dengue epidemics are occurring throughout the Americas, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific, with international locations corresponding to Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam reporting probably the most circumstances.
Dengue fever in Iran
Dengue fever is primarily a tropical illness that first emerged in Iran on the Persian Gulf coast, the place well being officers imagine it was brought on by individuals travelling from international locations such because the United Arab Emirates. Cases then emerged within the northern provinces of Iran, and have now unfold to Khuzestan, Isfahan, Hormozgan, Sistan-Baluchistan, Bushehr and Golestan provinces.
The Ministry of Health recorded 75 confirmed circumstances of dengue final 12 months. This 12 months, that quantity has risen to 149. However, the precise quantity is more likely to be increased as this determine contains solely formally confirmed circumstances.
Government response and public issues
Health Minister Bahram Einolahi has acknowledged that dengue might grow to be an epidemic. Others on the Ministry of Health have additionally recommended the illness is more likely to unfold within the coming months. This has raised issues, main some to name dengue a “second coronavirus.”
The state-run day by day Dona-e-Egtesad quoted virologist Talat Mokhtari as highlighting the danger that dengue might infect many extra individuals than anticipated. The vaccine provide scarcity is the results of what many understand because the regime’s inhumane insurance policies, additional fuelling public discontent.
Shahnam Arshi, director of the Health Ministry’s Center for Infectious Disease Control, acknowledged that the dengue vaccine is being administered “in a restricted type and solely in particular circumstances,” and insisted that the vaccine will not be extensively obtainable in different international locations, however that is of little consolation to an anxious public.
The nature and unfold of dengue fever
Dengue, often known as the “bone-breaking fever,” is transmitted by the chunk of the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito, which thrives in sizzling climates and densely populated areas that lack clear water, correct sanitation and efficient waste administration.
Comprehensive public well being measures and entry to a vaccine are more and more urgently wanted in Iran to organize for a possible dengue outbreak. Lessons realized from the COVID-19 pandemic spotlight the significance of well timed and efficient well being interventions to stop new public well being crises.