August 27, 2023

2023-08-26 03:50:29
While Latin America faces one of the most devastating dengue epidemics, Argentina “stands out” with alarming figures: more than 128,511 positive cases in just the first half of 2023 (Illustrative image Infobae)

In recent years, dengue has shown a growing trend in the number of cases in Latin America and particularly in Argentina, which in the first part of 2023 experienced the worst epidemic in its history. Since the beginning of the 2023 season, 128,511 positive cases have been registered in 18 of the 24 jurisdictions that make up the country, a number that might climb to almost 300,000 because many are asymptomatic and, although we are in the middle of winter, notification of confirmed patients does not seem to end.

Dengue cases, like the spread of Aedes Aegypti, can increase suddenly and in a few weeks we can go from a few cases to thousands of them. Although it is a disease that has a very low lethality, and for the most part does not require medical attention, when there are hundreds or thousands of cases, that small proportion that does require it is enough to saturate the health system.

“When you look at the incidence curves, at one point, you can see that practically 50% of confirmed cases occur in two or three weeks. In other words, in two or three weeks the health systems have to absorb the response to that brutal number of patients at certain times in some locations. And, probably, that is one of the main damages,” said Dr. Tomás Orduna, former head of the Tropical Medicine and Traveler Medicine Service at the FJ Muñiz Infectious Hospital and member of the Scientific Committee of the Mundo Sano Foundation.

The Aedes Aegypti is a domestic mosquito that can trigger epidemics in a matter of weeks, saturating health systems (Illustrative image Infobae)

Nowadays, there are studies that show prevention models so that we can be prepared throughout the year. According to the minimum and maximum temperatures, one can estimate how long the presence of the mosquito can be prolonged and take the necessary measures. And, with the approval of the vaccine last April, a new tool is added for comprehensive management for the prevention of dengue. Although the Aedes aegypties is a domestic mosquito, it is found both inside and around homes.

There are a large number of sites that the mosquito takes advantage of to deposit its eggs; Containers and objects that can contain water for at least a week are the main breeding sites for this mosquito vector.

“The vaccine is one more tool. We have to add it to the actions we have used to try to obtain better results. It would be wrong to relax with a vaccine that does not have 100% protection. Vaccines come to be one more instrument to prevent cases and outbreaks of dengue,” concluded Orduna. Therefore, it is important that the community adopt appropriate measures for the preventive management of these potential breeding sites and reduce the impact of dengue and other diseases transmitted by this mosquito.

Prevention at home is essential, which is why essential cleaning and maintenance is important to prevent the proliferation of the dengue-transmitting mosquito (iStock)

Cleaning and maintenance tasks in the patios and backs of the houses are fundamental. It is important to eliminate objects that are in disuse, to prevent them from accumulating water; empty and clean the walls of the dishes that are under the pots; change the water in the animal drinkers and vases; and clean the gutters and sanitary boxes in the patios and laundry rooms.

And, in the case of having water tanks, it is recommended to periodically clean their internal walls with a sponge with bleach and cover them to prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs.

On the other hand, when exposing yourself outdoors, it is recommended that people take precautions during the first hours of the morning and the last hours of the followingnoon, since these are the moments of greatest mosquito activity.

While, for the rest of the day, one way to prevent bites is to always use light clothing that covers arms and legs, and repellents, which have to be renewed every four hours. It is also recommended to install mosquito nets on doors and windows and place insecticidal spirals or tablets to care for the interior of homes.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease, and it occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Mild dengue can cause high fever and flu-like symptoms. A severe form of dengue, also called “dengue hemorrhagic fever,” can cause severe bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure (shock), and death.

“In areas where dengue is common, the best ways to prevent infection are to avoid mosquito bites and take steps to reduce the mosquito population,” the Mayo Clinic explains.

If you travel to or live in areas where dengue is common, the following tips will help reduce your risk of mosquito bites:

1. Stay in air-conditioned environments and well protected with mosquito nets. The mosquitoes that transmit the dengue virus are most active from dawn to dusk, but they also bite at night.

2. Wear protective clothing. When entering a mosquito-infested area, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes.

3. Use mosquito repellent. You can apply permethrin to clothing, shoes, camping gear, and bed nets. You can also buy clothing that already contains permethrin. For the skin, use a repellent that contains at least a 10% concentration of diethyltoluamide.

4. Reduces the habitat of mosquitoes. The mosquitoes that transmit the dengue virus normally live in and around homes and breed in standing water that can collect on objects such as car tires. You can help reduce mosquito populations by eliminating their egg-laying habitats. At least once a week, empty and clean containers with standing water, such as flower pots, animal feeders, and vases. Keep containers of standing water covered between cleanings.

The diagnosis of dengue is often presented as a medical challenge due to the similarity of symptoms with other tropical diseases.

“The World Health Organization insists that the vaccine is not an effective measure on its own to reduce dengue in areas where the disease is common. The prevention of bites and the control of the mosquito population continue to be the main methods to prevent the spread of this disease ”, they explain from the Mayo Clinic.

Warning signs of severe dengue fever can come on quickly, the Mayo Clinic explains. They usually start a day or two following the fever is gone and can include the following:

– Severe stomach pain

– Persistent vomiting

– Bleeding from the gums or nose

– Blood in the urine, stool or vomit

– Bleeding under the skin, which may look like a bruise (hematoma)

– Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing

– Fatigue

– Irritability or restlessness

Despite the introduction of new prevention tools and the approval of a vaccine, the country is fighting once morest time and the Aedes Aegypti mosquito (Photo: Wiki Commons)

You are at higher risk of contracting dengue or a more severe form of the disease if:

– Live in or travel to tropical regions. Being in tropical and subtropical regions increases the risk of exposure to the virus that causes dengue. Areas most at risk include Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific Islands, Latin America, and Africa.

– He already had dengue. A previous infection with the dengue virus increases the risk of severe symptoms if you contract the disease once more.

Diagnosing dengue fever can be difficult because the signs and symptoms can easily be confused with those of other diseases, such as chikungunya, Zika virus, malaria, and typhoid fever.

The doctor will likely ask regarding your medical and travel history. “Be sure to describe international travel in detail, including the countries you visited and the dates, as well as any contact with mosquitoes you may have had,” they say from the Mayo Clinic.

“Your doctor can also draw a blood sample to be analyzed in a laboratory for evidence of infection with one of the dengue viruses,” they add.

Keep reading:

Resurgence of some cases of dengue in Florida: alerts in Miami-DadeThe fight once morest dengue continues: More than 15 doctors travel to Tumbes to fight the diseaseDengue in the AMBA: they discovered populations of mosquitoes resistant to insecticides
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