NewsDesk @bactiman63

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.

Image/CDC

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.

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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.