The return of the rains to Argentina has also brought the proliferation of mosquitoes, and with them two of the diseases transmitted by the species Aedes aegypti: dengue and chikungunya. In the last week, dengue cases in Argentina increased by 44% and deaths doubled. In total, more than 16,000 infections have been registered to date, according to the latest epidemiological bulletin of the Ministry of Health. The ministry reported 13 deaths, to which one more has been added in the last few hours in the central province of Córdoba. Chikungunya cases amount to 657.
The reported dengue infections so far in 2023 exceed those registered in the same period in both 2021 and 2022, two exceptionally dry years due to the influence of the La Niña weather phenomenon. The authorities fear that this year will become an epidemic again since the 16,143 cases represent only 10% less than those accumulated in the first quarter of 2020, the last year with a large outbreak of this disease. The previous ones were in 2016 and 2009.
The mosquito acquires the virus by feeding on the blood of an infected person and after an incubation period of at least eight days can transmit it to a healthy person through a bite. More than 90% of those infected are due to the autochthonous circulation of the virus, which is already present in 13 of the 23 provinces (all in the center and north of the country) and in the capital.
Given the increase in cases, the authorities are analyzing the approval of the Japanese Qdenga vaccine, made up of the four serotypes of the virus that causes dengue, which guarantees significant protection. With an efficacy close to 80%, the vaccine was approved a month ago in Brazil after more than a thousand deaths registered last year, a record number.
The vaccine under study by the National Administration of Drugs, Food and Medical Technology is administered in two doses and is recommended for a public between four and 60 years of age.
Regarding chikungunya fever, of the 657 cases registered so far, 244 were infected by autochthonous circulation, 254 outside the country and 159 are under investigation. Up to now, circulation of this virus has been detected in six Argentine provinces and in the capital.
The Argentine health portfolio recommends going to the doctor in case of suffering from the symptoms of these diseases. In both cases, they usually cause fever accompanied by headache, joint pain, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or the appearance of skin rashes.
In the case of dengue, when a person recovers, they acquire lifelong immunity against that particular serotype. But not so with the other three serotypes, and if infected with one of them, it can present a more serious picture with bleeding, respiratory difficulties and even organ failure.
The different provincial governments have launched informative campaigns and operations to clear and clear land to reduce the breeding sites of the mosquito. Aedes aegypti. Fumigation tasks are also carried out in the areas where outbreaks have been detected.
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