In Lima, Peru, a 2024 dengue fever outbreak was exacerbated by unusually intense rains followed by prolonged heat, conditions linked to climate change. Dr. Solomon Durand at Santa Rosa Hospital noticed the spread of dengue into areas previously unaffected due to these climatic changes. The outbreak, which hit 40 out of 43 districts simultaneously, led to nearly 2,000 diagnosed cases with only four deaths thanks to quick hospital response and prior experience. However, Durand emphasized the lack of preparation for such an event and highlighted that climate change will likely make similar crises more common in the future. A study published by University of Washington scientists confirmed that 18% of dengue cases between 1995-2014 in high-exposure countries were due to human-caused climate change, predicting a 50% increase in cases by mid-century if warming is not curbed.
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