A peak of dengue cases is expected in Argentina between the middle and end of March due to a heatwave that is hitting the centre of the country
The virus transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito is already circulating in several provinces of our country due to the increase of autochthonous cases (local transmission), which add to the imported cases reported during the first two months of the year.
Given this epidemiological context, Mundo Sano Foundation recommends maintaining personal protective behaviour to avoid contact with mosquitoes, such as using repellents during the morning hours and at sunset (when the mosquito bite activity increases), isolating the house with mosquito window and door screens, and using insecticide tablets and/or solutions inside the house to avoid the entry of mosquitoes.
For more than 10 years, Mundo Sano has been taking several awareness and prevention actions for dengue, zika and chikungunya, such as the surveillance and monitoring programme of mosquitoes in localities of the provinces of Salta, Chaco, Formosa, and Misiones. These activities allow us to monitor Ae. aegypti infestation levels through sampling of larvae, abundance of breeding sites, and surveillance of oviposition of this species, due to the epidemiological risk that the presence of this mosquito poses in an area affected by outbreaks of these viral diseases.
“Aedes aegypti is a domestic mosquito that is well adapted to the human environment; hence, prevention and control measures start with the removal of breeding sites that are present in peri-domicile areas and indoor spaces”, Manuel Espinosa, head of the area of mosquito-borne diseases of Mundo Sano, points out.
Avoiding the accumulation of water for more than five days in containers, tires, deposits, canvas, plates or trays under pots; keeping canvas or plastic swimming pools adequately treated; cleaning gutters, drains and patio sinks; and maintaining water storage deposit closed should be daily routine activities in the community. These measures should be reinforced after rainy days to avoid the presence of breeding sites in houses.
The dengue virus is transmitted to persons through the bite of infected female mosquitos. The affected persons, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, are the carriers and main multipliers of the virus, and the mosquitoes become infected when they bite an infected person.
In the presence of symptoms, such as high fever accompanied with very intense headache, pain behind the eyes, pain in muscles or joints, nausea, vomiting, and enlargement of lymph ganglia or skin rash, it is important to consult a medical doctor and avoid self-prescription. “Although there is no specific treatment for dengue or severe dengue, early detection and access to appropriate medical assistance reduce mortality rates”, Espinosa states.
More information on Mosquito-borne Diseases