Unstoppable dengue: Argentina has already acquired more than 28,000 cases so far in 2023

So far in 2023, more than 28,000 cases of dengue and more than 900 cases of chikungunya have been confirmed throughout the country, according to the latest report from the National Ministry of Health, published after experts from the World Health Organization Health (WHO) will warn of the increase in cases of this disease and chikungunya fever.

According to the report, until the epidemiological week 13 of this year, that is, until April 1, the 28,235 cases of dengue, of which 25,419 acquired the infection in the country; and it was also detailed that during epidemiological week 12 there was an increase in cases of 27.7% compared to the previous week.

It was also reported that at the moment, the circulation of this virus was identified in 14 jurisdictions corresponding to three regions: Central Region (Buenos Aires; Autonomous City of Buenos Aires; Córdoba; Entre Ríos; Santa Fe); NEA region (Corrientes; Formosa; Chaco) and NOA region (Catamarca; Jujuy; La Rioja; Salta; Santiago del Estero and Tucumán).

Dengue is endemic in 100 countries, but poses a threat to 29 others. The number of cases has increased exponentially in recent years, going from half a million in 2000 to 5.2 million in 2019, which was the worst year, as reported this week. Raman Velayudhan, who coordinates the WHO initiative on dengue and arboviruses.

In 2022, according to the expert, there was “an increase in dengue in many parts of the world.” For example, in the Americas region, 2.8 million cases were registered with more than 1,200 deaths. He considers, therefore, that “it is really worrying”, because “this shows that climate change played a key role in facilitating the spread of the vector, mosquitoes, to the south.”

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This virus has no treatment and even vaccines “are barely appearing on the market at the moment,” he explained. For his part, Diana Rojas Álvarez, technical chief of Zika and chikungunya of the WHOWe will see that the current situation in the southern hemisphere, with endemic transmission of these three viruses, “could be an anticipation of what could happen” in Europe next summer.

Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of the Aedes genus mosquito, mainly by Aedes aegypti. Its name means “one who slouches” and refers to the bent appearance that some people who suffer from it acquire because of the severe joint pain they cause.

When the mosquito feeds on the blood of a person infected with the dengue virus, it acquires it and after 8 to 12 days it is capable of transmitting it to a healthy person through its bite.

Symptoms are fever accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms: pain behind the eyes; upside down; muscles and joints; nausea and vomiting; intense tiredness; appearance of spots on the skin and itching; bleeding nose and gums.

When diagnosed with dengue, it is necessary to follow the instructions of health personnel and attend follow-up and control consultations. If at the time the fever subsides or in the days that follow, any of the symptoms worsens, reappears, or new symptoms are detected (difficulty breathing, intense abdominal pain, profuse mucosal bleeding, irritability to drowsiness, recurrent vomiting), it is pertinent make an immediate medical consultation.

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The main form of transmission of dengue and chikungunya is through the bite of mosquitoes caused byand that is why the most important preventive measure is the elimination of all mosquito breeding sites (containers that contain water, both inside the houses and in their surroundings).

It is noteworthy that the mosquito adheres its eggs to the walls of the containers, so it is also reinforced that it is key that, in addition to changing the water frequently if the containers that contain it cannot be removed, it is necessary to brush the interior from the walls to remove them.

To avoid mosquito bite It is recommended to use repellent always following the instructions on the package and it is suggested to wear long-sleeved clothing and light colors. To protect babies (who cannot use repellent), nets or tulle should be placed over cribs and strollers; and in relation to the home, it is important to have mosquito nets on doors and windows and to use environmental repellents such as tablets, aerosols (interior) or spirals (exterior).

The application of insecticide by fumigation only serves to eliminate adult mosquitoes as long as it comes into contact with the insecticide at the time it is applied, since it has no residual power and does not eliminate immature forms of the mosquito (eggs, larvae and pupae); Therefore, it is not enough to control these diseases if breeding sites for new mosquitoes are not eradicated.

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Dengue, district by district

Buenos aires city

On April 3, the government of the city of Buenos Aires established a total of 3,436 cases of dengue, eight of which were severe.

Buenos Aires province

The Buenos Aires Ministry of Health said on April 3 that a total of 1,168 cases of dengue -and 314 of chikungunya- have been registered so far in 2023 throughout the territory. In a statement, it was specified that of the total dengue cases registered in the province, 1,123 are autochthonous and 45 imported, mainly from Bolivia and Paraguay.

Cordova

So far this season, 1,781 cases of dengue have been registered, 906 new cases compared to last week, as reported on April 7, four days after the first case of death from dengue was confirmed in that province. .

“In week 12 of this season, a peak of 705 cases was obtained, which exceeded the peak of the 2020 dengue epidemic. In other words, in fewer weeks, the number of cases registered for the same time we had in the worst dengue epidemic in the country”, examined Laura López, director of epidemiology of the provincial government.

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Santa Fe

Dengue cases in the province of Santa Fe increased by more than 23% in the last week, going from 5,838 the week before to 7,661 reported on April 5. Until the last report, there were 14 inmates in the district, of which 3 are children cared for in intensive care units.

Tucuman

More than 10,000 cases of dengue and 7 deaths from dengue have been registered in the province of Tucumán since last February, the local Ministry of Public Health reported today. “It is likely that this number will increase because there are possibilities of contagion, since there may be patients who have been bitten and the symptoms appear two or three days later,” said Minister Luis Medina Ruiz.

Jujuy

The provincial Ministry of Health reported on April 7 that dengue cases reached 1,459 people. The province and concentrates the largest number of patients with the disease in San Pedro, Perico, Caimancito, Libertador, Fraile Pintado, Yuto and Pampa Blanca, that is, in the Yungas region.

More than 900 cases of chikungunya fever in 2023

The Ministry of Health also reported that until April 1 there were 915 cases of chikungunya fever, of which 348 acquired the infection in the country; 306 are under investigation and 261 acquired the disease abroad. At the moment, the circulation of this virus is guaranteed in Buenos Aires; CABA; Chaco; Cordova; currents; Formosa and Santa Fe.

Chikungunya fever is also a viral disease that, like dengue, It is transmitted by the bite of Aedes mosquitoes, they concluded.

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The symptoms of chikungunya fever usually begin 3 to 7 days after the mosquito bite. The most common symptom is the sudden onset of fever, often accompanied by joint pain, and other symptoms that may appear are: muscle pain; upside down; nausea; fatigue and skin rash.

Severe joint pain usually lasts a few daysbut it can persist for months, closing the total recovery and the return to the daily activities.

Chikungunya, detected so far in 115 countries since its discovery in the 1950s, registers a spectacular increase in the Americas region, ignore days ago Diana Rojas Álvarez, a charge of the WHO fight against chikungunya and zika. Since January, some 135,000 cases have been reported on this continent, compared to 50,000 during the first half of 2022.

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