By Andrea Hargraves 
In the first two months of 2023, there are already more than 300 confirmed cases
From January to February 23 of this year, Campos recorded 334 positive cases of dengue fever, including the death of an 84-year-old patient, a resident of the Travisão region. The Ministry of Health is still awaiting tests to determine if the death of the camper, which occurred on Carnival Sunday, in Sao Joao da Barra, is related to the disease. In the same period last year (the first two months), Campos recorded no cases of dengue fever; Only two cases of chikungunya, which is also transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, have occurred. The presence of the vector in the municipality has also increased from 2022 to 2023: this year’s first rapid indicator survey for the herb Aedes aegypti (LIRAa), conducted in January, showed a building infection rate of 5.2% (high risk), while the latest survey showed LIRAa last year, implemented in October, an indicator of 2.8% (medium risk). Upon the return of the carnival, Campos, who is preparing new anti-mosquito moves, has seen an increase in the number of consultations at the reference center for dengue and post-covid d. Jaime Tinoco Neto (CRDPC).
There has been an increase in cases and searches for care in the unit, as expected, said Dr. Luis Jose de Souza, coordinator of the CRDPC and an active dengue researcher for more than 20 years. Just on the Thursday after Carnival, there were 70 consultations at the agency, 48 of which were for primary care and 22 were returnees. According to Luiz Jose, many of these cases had symptoms and were referred for fluids.
Today (Thursday 23rd) we received about 70 calls. This is normal, due to the pent-up demand for vacation, and will certainly increase, because there has been movement of people, not only in the Campos area. This increases the possibility of a person being bitten by a mosquito and contracting the virus during the flight. Therefore, there is no doubt that there will be an increase in cases. In addition, we have everything that is suitable for this, such as the heat, the accumulating rain, and many people who go out of the house and therefore do not check their yards.
The doctor also explained that serotype 2, which is very aggressive, is present in most of the positive tests. Besides it, serotype 1 is also prevalent. “The most widespread serotype is 2. One stands out over the other and only one will still circulate, and it should be 2, because it is more virulent,” analyzed Luiz-José, recalling, however, that the last circulation of serotype 2 occurred in 2010, so there is a part A large population is susceptible to the virus, as well as those who have not previously tested positive for the virus.
María Helena Drummond, an 80-year-old resident of Parque Vicente Dias, in Garros, was one of those who called for help after the carnival. She and her daughter showed symptoms of the disease even before the holiday. I was working from home and started to feel sick, dizzy, body aches, vomiting and coughing. Yesterday we went to HGG and from there they sent us to CRD. There are many people with the same symptoms where I live.
And the doctor warns that when symptoms such as fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue appear, a person should seek medical attention immediately. Luiz José also notes that an exacerbation of the disease can cause nausea, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and the appearance of red spots on the skin.
The CRDPC is attached to the Hospital Plantadores de Cana (HPC), from 8 am to 6 pm.
First death and suspected case
The first death from dengue fever in Rio state, in 2023, occurred in Campos, on January 21. The 84-year-old patient, a resident of Travisão, was admitted to the Hospital dos Plantadores de Cana (HPC) on January 18, with characteristic symptoms of the disease and ended up with no resistance and death three days later. The victim’s neighborhood is among those with the most positive records of the disease. The cause was confirmed by a lab test conducted by the Noel-Nautiles Central Laboratory (Lacen-RJ).
This is the only death recorded so far in the municipality, which is still awaiting the result of the 48-year-old Vaneska Barcelos Miranda’s serology, who died on Carnival Sunday, in the local emergency center of São João da Barra, with suspected disease.
The Minister of Health of the Municipality of São João da Barra reports that “a rapid test was carried out which was positive for dengue. The sample was sent to Lacen-RJ, a reference in epidemiology, to confirm the diagnosis.”
The SJB Secretariat also informed that “according to the protocol, on the same day of death (Sunday, 19), the State Secretariat of Health was informed, and the municipality will carry out the investigation with the Municipal Health Secretariat Campos, who was notified this Thursday, 23 “.
SMS de Campos reported that “the Undersecretary for Primary Care, Surveillance and Health Promotion (Subpav), started the epidemiological investigation on Thursday (23), in the municipality of São João da Barra. The appropriate measures will be taken through the investigation and notification carried out via the Notifiable Diseases Information System (teeth) “.
lira
The Aedes aegypti Rapid Index Survey (LIRAa) is a rapid mapping of infection rates by Aedes aegypti that identifies the dominant breeding sites and infection status in a municipality.
The latest survey of 2022 indicated that 2.8% of them are considered to be of medium risk in terms of transmission of the disease caused by mosquitoes. The first of this year, released in January, indicated that it indicated an indicator of 5.2 percent, which is considered high risk.
The Ministry of Health classifies the data into three categories: up to 1% the level is satisfactory, from 1% to 3.9% the condition is alert, and over 4% there is a risk of dengue spreading.
The next LIRAa is scheduled for the first half of May.
Vector killer
Joint efforts to combat Aedes aegypti began last year and are still ongoing, mobilizing various municipal bodies. This year, after the release of the latest injury index, the work has been intensified.
According to the City Hall of Campos, Tapera, Parque Prazeres, Centro, Travessão, Parque Aurora, and the Jockey Club are the neighborhoods with the most notifications of dengue cases. Among the neighborhoods with the highest index of larvae were Campo Limbo, Goytacazes, Donana, Penha, Pecuaria, São José, Tapira, São Clemente, Vista Alegre, Bella Vista, São Salvador, Xuza Mota and XV de Novembro.
All of these neighborhoods are being thought of in a weekly joint effort that began January 20th and will continue through March 31st. The first was held in Travisão, where the first death from the disease occurred. Another task force was held on Thursday (24).
The director of the Zoonoses Control Center (CCZ) in Campos, Carlos Morales, says the situation is on alert and everyone should take measures in their homes.
“Our work is preventive so that it does not reach an epidemic. Always remember that 80% of mosquito outbreaks are indoors. I count on everyone’s work. The Clarion-Clipperton Fault Zone is doing its part with joint efforts and 10 secretariats. The most important thing is to assure the population that they are If they don’t do their part, dengue will arrive.
Define proxies
Many people are afraid to open their doors to the elements fighting endemic diseases, for fear of cases of assault. The CCZ district manager informs that there are means of verification.
“All agents operate with a badge and a QR code. Read the code and on the CCZ website you can check all the information about that agent. And open your doors so we can do our work,” Morales concluded.