Summer is approaching. Is dengue fever coming?

What is dengue fever?

It is a viral disease caused by the virus of the same name and transmitted by mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti.

What are the characteristics of this mosquito?

Aedes aegypti has different stages of development: eggs, larvae, pupae (stages that occur in water), and adult mosquitoes (when they can fly). They breed in shady, humid places. Any container capable of accumulating water can become a breeding ground, but some can produce large numbers of mosquitoes. For example, car covers are excellent places for these insects to develop, due to their shape (which prevents water from spilling), their material (insulating) and their dark color, which allows them to maintain the right temperature. However, other objects inside our homes can also be breeding grounds, such as vases, plant pots, or pet water bowls. Therefore, this mosquito can also breed in an apartment.

What are the clinical symptoms of the disease?

The symptoms are:

  • Fever accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:
  • Pain behind the eyes, headache, muscle pain, and joint pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Intense fatigue
  • Appearance of spots on the skin
  • Itching and/or bleeding from the nose and gums
  • If you experience these symptoms, you should go to the health center immediately to receive the appropriate treatment.
  • It is important to avoid self-medication.

What is the situation in our country?

Dengue is a disease that, although it occurs every year, tends to cause outbreaks.

epidemics every 3 or 4 years. 2023 was a year with a large number of cases, which suggests that the same should not happen this year. However, due to climate change, epidemiological conditions may change, so health authorities will be monitoring the evolution of the number of cases.

According to data presented by the Ministry of Health, as of week 42/2023, 132,033 cases had been registered in Argentina: 123,357 autochthonous, 1,560 imported, and 7,160 under investigation. A total of 65 people died from this disease, with a fatality rate of 0.049%.

The disease occurs mainly in summer and affects the central and northern provinces of our country, with no indigenous cases in Patagonia and very few in La Pampa and the Cuyo region. This can be seen in the following table published by the National Epidemiological Bulletin up to week 42 of this year.

Reinforcing the information in the following table, it can be seen how the number of cases in 2023 increased from weeks 7 and 8 (end of February) until week 16 (April), when they began to decline.

Is there anything we can do to prevent this?

Preventing this disease is possible:

The prevention of dengue depends greatly on the individual responsibility of each and every one of us, as general measures such as fumigation are only useful in certain situations.

So we must remember that: WITHOUT MOSQUITOES, THERE IS NO DENGUE!

Then we must work together:

  • Removing all unused containers that may accumulate water
  • (such as cans, bottles, tires).
  • Turn over any objects outside that can collect water when it rains (buckets, basins, drums, bottles).
  • Change the water in animal drinking troughs, air conditioning drain collectors, or rainwater collectors, inside and outside the house, every 3 days.
  • Remember to scrub the walls of the containers with a sponge or brush in order to
  • Remove any mosquito eggs that may be attached.
  • Filling vases and planters with damp sand.
  • Keeping patios and gardens clean, tidy, and weed-free.
  • Cleaning gutters and rain drains from roofs.
  • Covering tanks and containers used to collect water.
  • It is also important to prevent mosquito bites.
  • Always use repellents carefully following the recommendations on the packaging.
  • Wear light-colored clothing that covers your arms and legs, especially during outdoor activities.
  • Install mosquito nets on doors and windows, and whenever possible, use fans or air conditioning in rooms.
  • Protect cribs and strollers with mosquito netting.
  • Use environmental repellents such as tablets and coils.

Is there an effective vaccine for dengue fever?

ANMAT recently approved the first effective vaccine for this disease, marketed under the name QDENGA, which will soon be available for sale. It is a live attenuated vaccine that can be administered to children aged 4 and older, with two doses given three months apart.This vaccine has been shown to be effective and safe, although it is more effective for two different types types of dengue (types 1 and 2, which are the most prevalent in our country). Based on antibody studies and clinical efficacy, its effectiveness may decrease over the years. Its indication should be evaluated by your primary care physician, who will consider the local epidemiological situation local epidemiological situation and individual history, especially if the person has already had dengue or not. As it is a live attenuated virus vaccine, its use is contraindicated in pregnant women, during breastfeeding, and in people with immune disorders.

Dr. Daniel Pryluka | Head of Infectious Diseases