Last year, there was a major dengue epidemic in several South American countries, with tens of thousands of cases reported in large cities like São Paulo and Buenos Aires. In this context of rising cases, an international team of researchers led by the Sant Pau Research Institute tested the Qdenga vaccine against the disease. Until then, it had shown promising results in controlled clinical trials but had never been evaluated under the pressure of an explosion of infections like that of the 2nd. The vaccine has passed the test with flying colors: it managed to significantly reduce symptomatic cases and hospitalizations at the epicenter of the epidemic.

Last year, Europe recorded 306 cases of indigenous dengue fever, not related to travel to endemic areas. Italy led the list with 213 cases, followed by France with fewer than 100. Only eight cases were recorded in Spain, all in Catalonia, specifically in Vila-seca (Tarragona). where an outbreak was detected in early September.

"When we detect cases in humans, we see the tip of the iceberg. We may have many more circulating that we haven't identified," warns Jacobo Mendioroz, Deputy Director General of Surveillance and Emergency Response at Public Health, regarding mosquito-borne diseases. He is referring primarily to dengue, West Nile virus, and chikungunya.