2023-12-26 12:00:00
The consequences of the El Niño Phenomenon contribute to the greater presence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito in Argentina (Illustrative image Infobae)
2023 marked a record number of dengue cases reported in Argentina with 68 deaths and 135,676 people infected by the disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, according to the latest updated data from the Ministry of Health as of December 17.
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Furthermore, 93% of the reported infections were autochthonous, meaning that the patients contracted the infection in the country, without travel history. And in the last month, that percentage rose to 98%.
In this context, the Ministry of Health of the Nation issued an epidemiological alert this Sunday due to the risk of spreading dengue and warned that “an ascending epidemiological curve is observed in the country during the last four weeks” with an average of 591 cases per week while In the previous four weeks, the average number of reported infections had been 232.
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Health authorities called for extreme care to prevent the proliferation and bite of the mosquito that transmits the infection and warned that “the co-circulation of multiple serotypes of dengue can increase the risk of serious forms of the disease.”
98% of dengue cases reported in the last month were indigenous according to the Ministry of National Health (Illustrative image Infobae)
Last Friday the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that “the global incidence of dengue has increased notably in the last two decades” and considered that the increase in cases is “a serious threat” to public health.
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The UN health agency detailed that this increase is accompanied by the “simultaneous appearance of outbreaks that have spread to regions previously not affected by the disease, largely due to climate change. Currently, regarding 500 million people in Latin America are at risk of dengue infection.
In Argentina, for the first time, dengue infections were reported throughout the year, without interruption during the cold months. One of the causes is linked to changes in the behavior and reproduction times of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, vector of the disease.
National authorities stressed that the increase in the potential risk of spread of cases is associated with the El Niño Phenomenon and climate change, which is expressed in the increase in temperature and recurrent floods.
The text of the epidemiological alert detailed: “The epidemic outbreak was concentrated predominantly during the first half of the year, but had the particularity of having recorded – for the first time since the re-emergence of the disease – the continuity of viral transmission during the winter season, specifically in the Northeast region of the country.”
In addition to the continuity of transmission of the virus during the cold months, the document indicated that “the first autochthonous cases were detected in recent weeks in provinces of the Central and Northwest regions, as well as an increase in the average number of cases.”
“The abundance of rain and high temperatures associated with the El Niño phenomenon generate favorable environmental conditions for the proliferation of mosquitoes. And the presence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (transmitters of the disease, as well as Zika and chikungunya) has been evident in geographical areas where they were not found before,” the statement added.
The Ministry of Health emphasizes the importance of cleaning and eliminating possible mosquito breeding sites (Illustrative image Infobae)
Effective dengue control includes carefully inspecting homes and their surroundings with the aim of identifying and eliminating possible breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Measures should be taken such as turning over containers that accumulate water and covering storage tanks, in addition to frequent cleaning of animal waterers and rain gutters. The Ministry of Health listed prevention measures:
– Use repellents according to age and according to product recommendations
– Wear light clothing that covers arms and legs, especially during outdoor activities
– Use home mosquito repellents such as tablets, spirals or sprays, according to the product recommendations.
– Place mosquito nets on doors and windows
– Protect beds, cribs and baby strollers with mosquito nets or tulle
The eggs of the Aedes aegypti mosquito can resist drought conditions and remain viable for more than a year, which is why control and breeding site elimination actions must be carried out all year round. “These measures should focus on the elimination of those potential breeding sites that can be eliminated or the treatment (physical or chemical) of those that cannot be eliminated,” stated the health authorities.
A growth is observed in the epidemiological curve of dengue, with special emphasis on autochthonous transmission (Getty)
When referring to the control in houses and dwellings, they detailed that this action “involves the thorough inspection of the homes and their surroundings (patios, gardens and roofs) to identify, classify, eliminate and/or control all existing and potential breeding sites (debris). . Turn over, cover or protect useful objects that are outside and can accumulate rain or irrigation water (buckets, basins, drums, toys, etc.).”
In addition, they assured that the tanks and containers (citters, cisterns, containers to store rainwater for irrigation, etc.) that are used to collect water must be “kept covered.” Brush, clean and frequently change the water in animal water bowls, air conditioning or rain drain collectors. Brush or rub the inside walls of the container to remove any mosquito eggs that are stuck there.
“Avoid growing or preserving plants in water (mosquito eggs can adhere to the wall of the container or between the roots of the plants). Unclog and periodically clean gutters and rain drains. Pour boiling water into the drain grates and place mosquito netting over them. Keep swimming pools clean and chlorinated. Use covers when not in use. Keep patios and gardens weeded to prevent the presence of adult mosquitoes. Treat with larvicides those containers that cannot be physically treated or eliminated,” were other prevention measures indicated by the health portfolio.
In addition, they highlighted that products marketed with herbal preparations such as “clove” and bracelets or bracelets that are usually offered for use in infants, as well as having citronella plants in the homes do not protect once morest mosquito bites.
The symptoms of dengue are fever accompanied by one or more of the following signs: pain behind the eyes; headlong; muscle and joints; nausea and vomiting; intense fatigue; appearance of spots on the skin and itching; nose and gum bleeding.
The most common body signs are fever, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and retroocular pain, followed by nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In the current outbreak, a new symptom was reported among those infected, according to the Ministry of Health of the Nation, “58% (of the cases) presented some gastrointestinal manifestation (diarrhea, vomiting, nausea or abdominal pain) associated with the symptoms.” classics of the disease
Vaccination once morest dengue is essential to protect once morest the spread of the disease. In the image, an Aedes aegypti is seen on an arm while the vaccine is being administered to prevent infection. (Illustrative image Infobae)
The National Administration of Drugs, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT) approved the dengue vaccine developed by the Takeda laboratory in April, which has been available since the beginning of November.
The quadrivalent vaccine reduces the risk of hospitalization by 84% and reduces cases of symptomatic dengue by 61%. It is administered subcutaneously and protects once morest the four serotypes of the dengue virus.
It is administered in two doses of 0.5 ml that must be applied with an interval of 3 months. It provides protection once morest the four serotypes of dengue and is intended for people over 4 years of age (and without an age limit) whether or not they have had the infection. It is contraindicated in pregnant women, breastfeeding women and immunocompromised patients.
The vaccine is not included in the national vaccination calendar and is applied under medical prescription, which is why the person must go to the main private vaccination centers in the country and present the prescription to receive the dose.
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