Argentina accumulates more than 315 thousand cases of dengue so far in 2024, in an outbreak that is characterized by being of “greater magnitude” than previous ones, as reported today by the Ministry of Health.
The health ministry indicated through its National Epidemiological Bulletin (BEN) that in the first 15 weeks of the year, 315,942 cases of dengue were reported, 94.85 percent of the 333,084 infections registered in the season, that is, since Week Epidemiological 31 of 2023 (SE31/23) until now.
«Compared to other epidemic years, the current season is characterized by a greater magnitude than previous epidemic seasons: the accumulated cases until EW15 represent 3.17 times more than what was registered in the same period of the previous season 2022/2023, and 9 .1 times more than what was recorded in the same period of 2019/2020,” indicated the official information.
The BEN indicated that the largest number of cases is contributed by the Center region (59.9 percent), followed by the Northwest region (20.4 percent) and Northeast (17.8 percent), being the regions West and South have the lowest number of cases.
The Ministry of Health explained that “the analysis of the information for the epidemiological characterization of dengue and other arboviruses is carried out by season, understood as a period of 52 weeks from EW31 of one year to EW30 of the following year, to be considered in all the epidemic months.
The disease presents indigenous viral circulation in 19 of the 24 districts into which the country is divided.
The BEN added that from EW 31/23 to EW 15/24, 238 deaths from dengue were also recorded, with a median age of 49 years, with a minimum of less than one year and a maximum of 104 years.
“The deceased cases were recorded in all age groups, with the highest mortality rate being those over 80 years of age,” indicated the BEN, which added that the most frequent signs and symptoms among the deceased cases with complete clinical information were “fever.” , headache, myalgias and arthralgias, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Recently, the Ministry of Health urged the population to reinforce care to prevent diseases transmitted by the “Aedes aegypti” mosquito.
These measures include eliminating possible mosquito breeding sites, avoiding bites with the use of repellents, and making an early consultation if symptoms of the disease occur.
The institution made the call due to the increase in dengue cases in different regions of the country, as well as the high temperatures recorded.
