Global warming is driving the spread of mosquito-borne viral infections such as dengue and Zika (both known as flaviviruses) beyond the tropics to have a much larger habitat around the world. There have been larger outbreaks of dengue, in areas such as Northern Europe, that have not previously been warm enough to support the virus-carrying mosquito’s lifecycle.
The predicted temperatures in Northern parts of Aotearoa New Zealand are edging closer to those that will support the overwintering of the Aedes species of mosquitoes, allowing dengue and Zika transmission here, as has been seen in neighbouring Pacific nations. There are currently no approved antiviral treatments for either Zika or dengue, and no vaccines for Zika, while the two approved dengue vaccines are largely inaccessible.
To ensure that Aotearoa New Zealand is prepared to meet this new health threat head on, safe and effective antivirals to combat these viruses are urgently required.
