Dengue Fever Increased by Rapid Urbanization

Rapid urbanization and dense cities with inadequate infrastructure are being cited as leading causes in the spread of dengue fever throughout Southeast Asia and the rest of the world.

1 minute read

September 3, 2009, 5:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg

Nearly half of the world's population is at risk according to health experts. The dense urbanized areas of Southeast Asia are breeding grounds for the disease, which can then easily spread.

"'As early the 1980s, dengue fever had reached epidemic proportions in some countries in Asia long before climate change became an issue. Rapid urbanization, increase in air travel and lack of mosquito control are the main drivers of the disease.'

Duane Gubler, director of Asia Pacific Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the University of Hawaii, said dengue spreads quickly in crowded cities with inadequate basic services, such as potable water, sanitation and waste-management and weak public health infrastructures."

FULL STORY: Urban sprawl, bad sanitation spread dengue fever

Tuesday, September 1, 2009 in Reuters

Environment Infrastructure Social / Demographics World Asia-Pacific Public Health Urbanization Disease Dengue Fever Southeast Asia View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Get 25% Off Your Subscription

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.