By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

Dengue cases in the state of Rio de Janeiro increased by 300% this year, according to a survey by the State Department of Health (SES). The comparison takes into account the months from January to October this year and the same period in 2021. 

Image/CDC

According to the SES, the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (Sinan) already accounts for 10,471 cases of dengue this year, with 14 victims. Last year, 2,613 cases and four deaths from the disease were registered until October.

According to the survey, the incidence of chikungunya also grew in the state, but with lesser intensity. Cases increased by 24%, with 611 diagnoses and no deaths in 2022.

Considered urban arboviruses, the two diseases are transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito , as well as Zika. This third disease, however, had a reduction in cases in 2022.

The wave of cases registered this year, in part, can be explained by the return of serotype 2 of the dengue virus, which had not circulated in the state of Rio de Janeiro since 2008.

The Health Secretary recalls that the serotype was responsible for the largest dengue epidemic ever faced by the state of Rio de Janeiro, in 2008, and its re-entry has been monitored since 2019.

“Whoever was born after that period [2008] does not have immunity to this subtype of the virus. Therefore, we have an important part of the susceptible population, which can lead to increased transmission”, explains Chieppe.

Dengue control depends on the population taking precautions in their homes and workplaces to prevent stagnant water from accumulating in places such as potted plants, tires, bottles, unused and unmaintained swimming pools, uncovered water tanks, and even small containers like bottle tops.

To help the population prevent the accumulation of stagnant water in exposed places and eliminate mosquito outbreaks, the Health Department recommends checking that the water tank is well covered; leave the dumpsters well capped; put sand in the plant dishes; collect and pack the yard’s rubbish and clean the gutters.

It is still necessary to cover swimming pools; cover the drains and lower the lids of the toilet bowls; clean the outer tray of the refrigerator; cleaning and storing pet dishes; clean the air conditioning water collection tray; cover well the cistern and other water reservoirs.


Subscribe to Outbreak News TV on YouTube