Malaria, dengue cases climb amid Venezuela's crisis

Public health experts warn there’s a surge in vector-borne diseases in Venezuela and surrounding countries as a result of the country's ongoing humanitarian crisis. Writing in the Lancet, experts report that cases of vector-borne illnesses including malaria, dengue, and Chagas climbed in Venezuela from 2000 to 2015. Malaria cases increased by nearly 400 percent during that time, with some cases spilling over into Brazil in recent years. The study also found that while parasite-borne illnesses have fallen in Brazil and Colombia, Venezuela’s rates have shot up, threatening its neighbors’ progress. Despite restricted resources, the study’s authors suggest that citizen scientists and an informal network of health professionals could help with surveillance efforts.