Washington, D.C., 10 June 2026 (PAHO) — The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in collaboration with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Puerto Rico Department of Health, held a training workshop on 5 and 6 June to strengthen technical capacity for the management of severe dengue cases in intensive care units and the prevention of deaths associated with the disease.
PAHO and CDC specialists, together with clinical experts from across the Region, shared the latest tools and scientific evidence to improve the care of patients with severe dengue and strengthen the capacity of health services to identify opportunities for improvement in the care provided in fatal cases.
Dengue remains a leading public health threats in the Americas. In 2024, the year with the highest number of cases ever recorded in the Region, more than 13 million cases were reported, including 23,177 severe cases and 8,431 deaths. Dengue epidemics place considerable pressure on health systems due to the increase in consultations, hospitalizations, and demand for intensive care.
“The collaboration between PAHO, the CDC, and the Puerto Rico Department of Health helps bring the most up-to-date tools and evidence to health teams on the front lines of the dengue response. Strengthening clinical capacity and conducting a detailed review of fatal dengue cases are essential to improving patient care and preventing avoidable deaths,” said Dr. Sylvain Aldighieri, Director of Communicable Disease Prevention, Control, and Elimination at PAHO.
The training brought together epidemiologists, intensivists, emergency physicians, and members of Puerto Rico’s national network of clinical experts on arboviral diseases. Sessions were led by PAHO experts, members of PAHO’s International Arbovirus Technical Group, and specialists from the CDC Dengue Branch. Topics covered included the epidemiological situation of dengue, factors associated with mortality, the practical application of the methodology for analyzing fatal cases, and the clinical management of severe dengue in adults, pregnant women, and children in intensive care units.
One of the workshop’s central components was the methodology for the analysis of dengue-related deaths, developed by PAHO with technical support from the CDC and based on more than two decades of regional experience. This tool enables systematic review of care provided to dengue patients across all levels of the health system, identification of potential gaps, and the generation of recommendations to prevent future deaths.
PAHO and CDC have a long-standing technical collaboration to strengthen prevention, surveillance, and response to dengue and other arboviral diseases. Through initiatives such as this one, both institutions continue to support Puerto Rico in strengthening its capacity to reduce mortality, improve clinical care, and protect population health.
