Cases of dengue and chikungunya have risen in MG and municipalities have been left on alert

In just two months, Minas Gerais has recorded 11,658 confirmed cases of dengue fever. The numbers represent an average of 215 cases per day, according to the epidemiological bulletin published by the state health department on February 23. In the same period, the country confirmed 4,054 cases of chikungunya, an average of 75 cases per day. Due to the high number of cases, some cities declared a state of emergency and a task force was planned to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is responsible for transmitting diseases.

“This increase in cases constitutes an outbreak and is directly related to a number of factors. One of the points we noticed was the decrease in dengue control and prevention measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. During this period, we had fewer preventive measures, which led to the spread of More mosquitoes,” explains professor and infectious disease expert Raquel Bandeira. According to the specialist, this increase is common in the summer, which is a favorable period for the breeding of mosquitoes that transmit diseases. He adds, “The warmer the temperature, the shorter the agent’s cycle. That is, the longer the agent ceases to be an egg and becomes a mosquito. This helps infection and its transmission as well.”

The 2023 epidemiological scenario worries health authorities, as the number of confirmed cases of dengue and chikungunya this year is higher than the same period in 2022. Between January 1 and February 22 last year, 1,940 people were infected with dengue fever across the state. This number is down from the 11,658 recorded this year, which is an increase of nearly 500%. Among chikungunya cases, the jump was from 37 to 4,054, an increase of 10,856%.

“This is a worrying situation because the health system is overburdened. Cities are not yet ready to cope with this outbreak because we are still suffering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic years. Today we have delayed elective surgeries and diagnosis and treatment for chronic diseases that have also been delayed, all because of the pandemic. So the This is another overload on the health system that is trying to breathe,” notes the infection specialist. For Raquel Bandera, the primary action in facing this scenario is case monitoring. “It is essential to promote early diagnosis of these patients so that we can follow up on cases. Dengue mosquitoes don’t wander around, they are always very close to where they are born. When we have a neighborhood with a higher number of cases, for example, we know there are more outbreaks there and this It facilitates procedures,” he explains.

According to the epidemiological bulletin issued on February 23, the city of Montes Claros, north of the state of Minas Gerais, recorded the largest number of dengue cases reported this year, with 5,918 cases. The municipality of Januaria, in the same region, has the most cases of chikungunya, with a total of 2,478 cases. Despite the large number, the two cities have not recorded confirmed deaths from the diseases.

Due to the outbreak of viral infectious diseases, the municipality of Montes Claros declared a state of emergency on February 16. This action was taken based on data from the Rapid Indices Aedes aegypti Survey (LIRAa), which put the building infection rate at 15%, which is equivalent to saying that 15 out of 100 properties have a mosquito infestation. The indicator is almost five times higher than that of 3.9%, which the Ministry of Health considers at risk of an epidemic. The decree is valid for 120 days.

With the aim of educating the population, the municipality of Januária held a joint effort on January 31 to combat the Aedes Aegypt mosquito. Educational raids were carried out and the population was called upon to collect various types of waste, which could serve as hotbeds for disease-carrying mosquitoes. At the event, about 400 seedlings of fruit trees were handed over to the participants.

The time has come when we need to step up action to eradicate mosquito breeding sites. Residents need to receive home surveillance teams who monitor outbreaks. It is also important for the government to encourage campaigns that will mobilize the population. Since we cannot control the heat and rain, which are favorable factors for the spread of mosquitoes, we need to limit these outbreaks to reduce their reproduction, ”warns Bandera.

Starting next Tuesday (28), a task force will be sent to the city of Moriai, in the Zona da Mata region. About 20 endemic agents will visit about 520 homes with the aim of eliminating infestations and potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes that transmit dengue and chikungunya. Specialists should also use larvicides and raise awareness among the population. The work will be carried out in partnership with the City Council until March 10.

“The general situation highlighted the need for control in this monsoon period, mainly because the micro-region of Muriai has six municipalities, out of the ten municipalities, with a high or very high rate,” explains Fabio Ribas, coordinator of health surveillance for the regional administration. Health (GRS) in Oba. Action will also depend on social mobilization, with residents and local leaders.

A scene in Belo Horizonte

In 2023, according to the Belo Horizonte City Balance, there will be 218 confirmed cases of dengue fever in the capital. The figures are based on the latest epidemiological bulletin, issued on February 24, and reveal an increase in the number of confirmed cases in the first two months of last year, which was 167.

“At the moment we are working with two diseases that concern us a lot: dengue and chikungunya. The current context is one of preventive preparedness, because people are susceptible to diseases, that is, without immunity and have higher chances of being contaminated by the virus, “explains the director of Zoonoses in the capital, Eduardo Gusmao. Also, according to the director, the figures do not indicate an epidemiological trend, but rather require the authorities and the population to take effective measures to confront the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is responsible for the transmission of the infection. And he continues, “What we noticed is the presence of this vector, as well as the favorable climatic conditions for the reproduction of this insect. This indicates the possibility of a significant increase in the number of cases.”

According to the Municipal Health Secretariat, in 2023, 37 cases of chikungunya were confirmed in the population of Belo Horizonte, of which 2 were from the capital, 27 were imported, and 8 were of undetermined origin. According to the file, there are 98 reported cases awaiting results. In all places with suspected chikungunya infection, the municipal health department has intensified vector control measures, as a strategy to prevent the spread of the disease.

“Belo Horizonte is a city that hasn’t had a strong outbreak of chikungunya yet. So, the risks are increasing and that means the whole population can get sick. We need to understand that these diseases don’t have a vaccine and the main form of prevention is mosquito control. That’s why the work is Direct urban cleaning is important, avoiding carrier breeding spots,” says Gusmao. According to the Aedes aegypti Mosquito Infestation Rapid Index Survey (LIRAa), 83.3% of mosquito infestations found in BiH occur in the domestic environment. 26.5% is found in plant dishes, 19.2% in litter and debris, 10.2% in household containers, 7.5% in barrels and barrels, and 6.3% in tyres.

For Gusmao, the situation in the capital is still under control. However, he sees an emergency in other cities in the state that may require an expansion of care in D.C.’s municipal health network. He points out that “the city was preparing for this, specifically to face the effects of Aedes aegypti. This is another stage of our emergency plan, which is to provide assistance to patients, no matter where they go.”

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