The dengue outbreak in Brazil caused the country to surpass the mark of 600 deaths from the disease in 2024. According to data from the Ministry of Health, as of Tuesday night (19), 630 deaths had been recorded, while another 1,009 are under investigation. In relation to probable cases of dengue, the number now reaches 1,937,651.
Currently, the incidence rate of the disease is 954.2 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants. The state of Minas Gerais continues to lead the number of probable cases, with around 645,898 thousand records. Next come São Paulo (371,353), Paraná (183,698), Distrito Federal (158,629) and Rio de Janeiro (144,418).
São Paulo was the most recent state to declare a public health emergency for dengue. The measure was announced following a recommendation from health teams, who recorded more than 30 deaths from the disease in the state. Acre, Minas Gerais, Goiás, Espírito Santo, Santa Catarina and Rio de Janeiro have also declared an emergency.
To expand and speed up the organization of surveillance strategies, Emergency Operations Centers (COE) to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito were installed in most states, allowing for agile analysis of data on the disease. Service tents and technical visits were also promoted by the federal government.
More than 500 municipalities in 16 states and the Federal District have already started vaccinating against dengue, with the first applications targeting children aged 10 and 14. This week, the Minister of Health, Nísia Trindade, stated that she is considering reviewing the list of cities capable of receiving the vaccine to expand vaccination coverage in the country.
While the vaccine is not available for all age groups, the folder reinforces that controlling the Aedes aegypti vector is the main method for preventing and controlling dengue and other urban arboviruses (such as chikungunya and Zika), whether through integrated vector management or through personal prevention within homes. Here’s how to protect yourself:
- Replace the water in the plant pot dishes with sand;
- Leave the water tank covered;
- Keep swimming pools clean;
- Remove from the environment all material that can accumulate water, such as tires and bottles;
- Unclog gutters, slabs and drains;
- Wash the edges of containers that accumulate water with soap and a brush and throw the larvae onto the earth or dry ground;
- Store buckets and bottles with the mouth facing down;
- Use window screens in known transmission areas.
Should I use repellent?
The answer is yes. According to the Ministry of Health, use is recommended, above all, in areas of known dengue transmission. The product should be applied to exposed areas of the body, such as arms, legs and feet. Repellents for use in the environment, such as tablets and electrical devices, are also recommended, as they keep mosquitoes away.