Argentina reports latest on dengue and chikungunya
The Ministry of Health of the Nation reports that up to epidemiological week 7 of 2023
(from February 12 to 18), 673 positive cases for dengue were reported in the country,
of which 587 have no travel history. At the moment, the circulation of this virus has
been identified in 6 jurisdictions: Santa Fe (in 7 locations), Salta (in 3 locations),
Tucumán (in 2 locations), Jujuy, Córdoba and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires
(CABA). Regarding the chikungunya virus, 3 cases without travel history have been
registered so far in two towns in the province of Buenos Aires, and another 132
imported cases or under investigation in 7 other jurisdictions.
Regarding dengue, in the last three weeks 327 cases were confirmed, with an average
of 109 weekly cases. This represents 20 percent of the average registered during the
same weeks in 2020, the epidemic year.
Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of the Aedes genus mosquito, mainly
by Aedes aegypti. When the mosquito feeds on the blood of a person infected with the
dengue virus, it replicates in the mosquito and after 8 to 12 days it becomes infective,
transmitting the virus through its bite to other people. Symptoms usually start 5-7 days
after getting the infection (but can be anywhere from 3-14 days). The most common
symptoms are fever (usually lasting 3-5 days), severe headache, muscle and joint pain,
pain behind the eyes, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and rash.
Chikungunya fever is a viral disease, also transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes
aegypti mosquitoes. Symptoms usually begin 3 to 7 days after the mosquito bite. The
most common symptom is a sudden onset of fever greater than 38°, often
accompanied by joint pain. Other symptoms that may appear are: muscle pain,
headache, nausea, fatigue and skin rash. Severe joint pain usually lasts a few days, but
can persist for months, affecting full recovery and return to daily activities.
The health portfolio recalls the importance of always consulting a health service in the
presence of symptoms and not self-medicate.
Dengue and chikungunya prevention measures
The main form of transmission of these diseases is through the bites of infected
mosquitoes, but it can also be transmitted by transfusion of blood or blood
products. Although it is rare, pregnant people can transmit the infection to the fetus.
Those people who have already been infected with dengue before, in the presence of
symptoms, it is recommended that they make an early consultation and report that
they had the disease so that medical teams can identify the possibility of severe
dengue and provide the necessary care.
The most important dengue and chikungunya prevention measure is the elimination of
all mosquito breeding sites, that is, all containers that contain water both inside and
around houses.
If the containers cannot be eliminated because they are used frequently, mosquito
access to their interior must be prevented (covering tanks, cisterns and/or cisterns) or
prevent them from accumulating water, turning them over (buckets, basins, drums),
emptying them and brushing frequently (pot holders, drinking fountains), or putting
them under cover (returnable bottles).
Fumigation is indicated only in an outbreak situation and serves to eliminate adult
mosquitoes that are transmitting the disease, but it is not enough to control the
disease if breeding sites for new mosquitoes are not controlled.
Taken from Outbreak News, March 14, 2024
