For the first time in a long time, four serotypes of the virus are circulating in Brazil; some regions may face an epidemic scenario
In a press conference held on Friday 8th, the Ministry of Health warned that, in 2024, the number of cases of dengue expected to increase in much of Brazil. The Midwest faces an epidemic scenario. The less than optimistic estimate clashes with a scenario in which, for the first time in a long time, the four serotypes of the virus that causes the disease (1, 2, 3 and 4) circulate in the country and El Niño causes temperatures to rise, creating an ideal climate for the vector mosquito, Aedes A Egypti, to reproduce more and more.
Keeping an eye on the situation, the ministry opened the National Arbovirus Hall (SNA). It is “a permanent space that will allow real-time monitoring of places with the highest incidence of dengue, chikungunya and zika to prepare Brazil for a possible increase in cases of these diseases in the coming months”, we read in a note . It is worth noting that Aedes A Egypti is also a vector of chikungunya and zika. The ministry also announced a contribution of R$256 million to states and municipalities. A portion of R$111.5 million will be released at the end of this year.
«In the worst case scenario we could reach 5 million cases of dengue (in 2024). They range from 1.7 million to 5 million, an average of 3 million. All this, without considering any new (applied) technology, without considering that we would do everything, but we anticipate it,” said Secretary of Health Surveillance Ethel Maciel, during the press conference. The forecasts were made in collaboration with InfoDengue, of Fiocruz.
This year most cases were mainly caused by dengue type 1. But the type 4 virus was identified on Thursday the 7th in Rio de Janeiro, according to Ethel. In May Fiocruz reported the return of type 3 to the north of the country after 15 years. The reintroduction of serotypes after years always worries experts and authorities. This because a “new” virus usually encounters a susceptible population, without preventive protection.
The Ministry informs that there is a great risk that the South-East faces an epidemic, especially Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. In the South, the estimate is that Paraná will face a high number of cases. Meanwhile in the Northeast, despite an estimated increase, the situation is not expected to reach epidemic levels.
As Estadão reported in November, 2023 is already the second year with the most likely cases of the disease since 2000, only narrowly losing to 2015, when 1.69 million cases were recorded. “2023 was different,” Ethel said. Doctors have reported, for example, some atypical cases in winter.
Vaccine
The National Commission for the integration of technologies in the unified health system (Conitec), of the Ministry of Health, decided, on Wednesday 6th, to open a public consultation to gather the population’s opinion on the inclusion of Takeda’s Qdenga vaccine, against the four dengue serotypes (1, 2, 3 and 4), in the SUS. The body’s first opinion is favourable, provided that there is a price reduction by the pharmaceutical company.
Tips can be submitted between this Friday 8th and 18th December. The times are half of normal times, as the Ministry classifies the resolution as urgent due to the possibility of an increase in cases in the summer.
“We are talking about a possible epidemic moment, but the most important thing is to see that we have had cases of dengue throughout the year,” underlined Nísia Trindade, Minister of Health. “The vaccine is not a response to an emergency moment if this happens in the very short term, but it is a fundamental strategy to protect people throughout the year and as protection against future epidemics,” she explained.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
