In response to the growing threat of dengue in the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) has been working tirelessly since 2003 to control and prevent this disease. Through our Regional Dengue Program, in collaboration with the countries of the region, we have implemented the Integrated Management Strategy (IMS-Dengue). This multifaceted strategy incorporates six key components: patient care, social communication, environment, integrated vector management, laboratory, and epidemiology. Epidemiological surveillance, a crucial component of this strategy, presents significant challenges at the regional level. However, we are making considerable progress in standardizing indicators, which will allow for more timely and effective interventions.
Since 1980, PAHO/WHO has been collecting epidemiological data on the incidence of dengue, reported directly by the countries and territories of the Americas or published in national bulletins. Currently, 46 countries and territories systematically report weekly the total number of cases, incidence, number of severe cases, number of deaths, and dengue fatality rate, as well as entomological surveillance data. Additionally, laboratories that are part of the Dengue Laboratory Network of the Americas (RELDA), which includes 22 national reference laboratories and 4 PAHO/WHO collaborating centers, periodically provide information on the circulating serotypes in the Region. Currently, dengue epidemiological surveillance in the Americas is based on mandatory reporting systems that cover the entire national territory. We are committed to transparency and accuracy in presenting these data to better inform the global community.
