More than 135 thousand infections and 68 deaths in 2023: Dengue fever is a serious problem in Argentina; So much so that the Ministry of Health today “launched an epidemiological alert on the risk of the spread of dengue fever to strengthen protective measures and prevent the spread of the epidemic.” After a record increase in cases of the “virus” was recorded in the last month. In reality, what is alarming in Buenos Aires is not the exact figures, but the fact that 93% of the infection cases occur in the country itself, among people who have not visited tropical regions where the disease is endemic. Disease caused by a virus It is transmitted through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
The main symptoms are fever, skin rashes and muscle and joint pain. In more severe forms, dengue fever can cause internal bleeding and lead to death. Dengue infections were reported in Argentina for the first time throughout 2023, without interruption during the cold months.
What we need to know about dengue fever
A recently published article by Nature He explained that dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes native to tropical regions, is also increasing in Southern Europe, including Italy. It causes fever, headache and fatigue and kills up to 40,000 people worldwide each year. There will be more and more cases because we have imported adaptable “foreign” mosquitoes, we travel more and more, and with ongoing climate changes we enable mosquitoes to both proliferate and live longer. The virus circulates in the blood of an infected person for 2-7 days, during which time the mosquito can pick it up and transmit it to others.
In the Western Hemisphere, the main vector is the Aedes aegypti mosquito, but cases of transmission by Aedes albopictus have also been recorded. Dengue fever is nothing new, it does not appear out of nowhere: it has been well known for over two centuries and occurs during and after the rainy season, especially in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Southeast Asia and China, India. Middle East, Latin America and various parts of the central, Australia and Pacific. Its worldwide spread has increased significantly in recent years. L.The United Nations has reported the existence of simultaneous outbreaks in areas previously unaffected by the disease in recent months, largely due to climate change..
Symptoms and diagnosis
It is caused by four viruses (Den-1, Den-2, Den-3 and Den-4) that are very similar to dengue, which is viral in origin and is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites, which in turn bite the infected person. Therefore, it is worth noting that even though humans are the main host of the virus, there is no direct transmission between humans.
The disease usually causes fever, even very high fever, within 5-6 days after the mosquito bite, followed by acute headaches, pain around and behind the eyes, severe muscle and joint pain, nausea and vomiting, and skin irritation, which can be seen in most people. 3-4 days after the onset of fever, your body. In children, symptoms are mild or absent in most cases.
There is no specific treatment, and in most cases people recover completely in about two weeks. Treatments that promote healing include absolute rest, use of antipyretic medications, and fluid administration to combat dehydration. Sometimes the disease can develop in the form of hemorrhagic fever with severe bleeding from different parts of the body, which can actually lead to collapse and in extremely rare cases can be fatal.
The most effective preventive measure against dengue fever is to avoid contact with mosquitoes that carry the virus. For this reason, the use of repellents, adequate and protective clothing, mosquito nets and curtains become a priority. The eggs of the Aedes aegypti mosquito have the ability to withstand drought conditions and maintain their viability for more than a year. It is therefore a good rule to avoid standing water outdoors and applies to everyone, even in Italy.balconies, courtyards, gardens, vegetable gardens, cemeteries or parks. Argentinian experts state: Co-circulation of more than one dengue serotype may increase the risk of severe forms of the disease.
Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
