2024-01-15 17:45:00
During 2023, dengue reached unprecedented levels in Latin America, and Argentina was one of the most affected countries (Illustrative image Infobae)
Last year there were records of people affected by dengue in Latin America. In this context, Argentina faced the worst epidemic due to this disease in its history. Confirmed cases had been declining in May, but have been growing once more since late last October.
As reported by the Ministry of Health of the Nation in the latest epidemiological bulletin, 17,540 cases of dengue were registered, of which 16,912 were autochthonous (without travel history), since the last week of last July.
Of the total notifications, 57% of the cases occurred during the month of December. There were 10,056 cases, of which 95% were people residing in the Northeast of the country (Chaco, Corrientes, Formosa, and Misiones).
However, epidemiology experts from the Health Ministry warned, during December one or more cases without travel history were reported in other jurisdictions, such as the city of Buenos Aires, province of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos, Córdoba, San Luis, Tucumán and Santiago del Estero. In total, 12 of the 24 jurisdictions had indigenous cases in December.
In December there was a more accelerated growth in dengue cases. There were 10,056 cases, of which 95% were people who reside in the Northeast of the country (Getty)
“The dynamics of dengue in Argentina are changing,” Dr. Susana Lloveras, a specialist in clinical medicine and infectious disease and former president of the Latin American Association of Travel Medicine, told Infobae.
“There was no interruption in viral transmission in some areas and inter-epidemic periods have been shortened. In the Northeast there was persistence of transmission,” added the expert.
One difference is that since the re-emergence of dengue in 1997 there were reports of cases of affected people throughout last year in Argentina (Getty Images)
At the national level, the incidence is 38 cases of dengue per 100,000 inhabitants. However, the Northeast region of the country is the hardest hit. It registered a cumulative incidence of 399 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Additionally, the bulletin clarified that during the second half of last year, 23 of the 24 jurisdictions have reported imported cases. That is, people who had acquired the infection in other provinces or countries.
Over the past year, there has been a major change in the circulation of the virus in the country. Generally, in winter the case curve reduces until no cases are reported. But in 2023 there were notifications every week.
In the second week of December there was an increase in dengue cases in Argentina of 113% compared to the previous week. In some provinces health agents give prevention recommendations (File)
Between the last week of July and the third week of October, stability was observed in the number of weekly cases with an average of 195 weekly cases. But starting in the second to last week of October, a gradual increase was observed until the second week of November.
The following week, there was a 65% jump in cases from one week to the next. In the second week of December there was an increase of 113% compared to the previous week. That is, there was an increase from the end of October and then it accelerated in December.
To avoid mosquito bites that transmit dengue, you should use repellent when outdoors (Getty Images)
Dengue has four viral serotypes: DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4. Any of these serotypes can cause severe forms of the disease.
In Argentina, since last year, 3 serotypes that affected people have been identified: DEN-1, DEN-2 and DEN-3
In the Northeast Region, which is the one that provides the largest number of cases studied, DEN-1 and DEN-2 circulate in different proportions depending on the province.
In the provinces of the Central region, where a low number of cases without travel history have been identified so far, the DEN-1, DEN-2 and DEN-3 serotypes might be verified. The latter was identified in 3 cases in the provinces of Córdoba and Entre Ríos.
Cases of DEN-1 and DEN-2 have been identified in the Northwest. In Santiago del Estero, which has a greater number of cases identified according to serotype, there is a predominance of DEN-1. One case was reported in San Luis in which the DEN-2 serotype was identified.
To prevent dengue infection, it is key to eliminate places with water, which serve as breeding grounds for mosquito larvae (iStock)
According to the Nation’s Health portfolio, the recommendations for prevention today are:
– All unused containers that may contain water must be eliminated. If the containers cannot be eliminated, the accumulation of water inside should be avoided (turn over, empty and brush frequently and/or store indoors).
– Use repellents, long-sleeved and light-colored clothing,
– Place mosquito nets on doors and windows,
– Put nets or tulle (over cribs or strollers)
– Use environmental repellents such as tablets (inside) or spirals (outside).
– When fever appears, accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms: pain behind the eyes, muscle and joints, nausea and vomiting, intense fatigue, appearance of spots on the skin and/or bleeding from the nose and gums; Do not self-medicate and consult a health center or service as soon as possible.
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