Federal government announces Emergency Operations Center to combat dengue fever.

Government Agency - The Federal Government announced this Thursday (1st) the creation of an Emergency Operations Center (COE Arboviroses) to combat dengue. During an event of the Tripartite Inter-managerial Commission, in Brasília, Minister Nísia Trindade (Health) explained that the measure allows for more agile action to organize the health system and sanitary surveillance actions in a coordinated manner with states and municipalities.

“It’s a message of national mobilization. Of a united Brazil against dengue. A public call for the entire country to unite at this moment to protect the population and prevent the disease, because we know that more than 75% of mosquito breeding sites are found in homes,” explained the minister.

Nísia emphasized that since September 2023, the Federal Government has been monitoring the disease situation in a situation room using science and technology tools to understand scenarios and plan actions. Currently, dengue fever is an emergency in dozens of municipalities in the Southeast and Midwest regions, but the government's approach has a national perspective.

“Our attention to national monitoring is fundamental,” the minister stated. “As I have said, now is the time to prevent and care. Dengue is a disease for which the Unified Health System (SUS) can operate efficiently and prevent deaths. This must be our focus at this moment.”

OCCUPATION - The goal of the COE (Center for Operations and Emergencies) is to develop strategies for controlling and reducing severe cases and deaths. Upon activation, the Federal Government begins monitoring the situation, with an emphasis on dengue and chikungunya, to guide the implementation of actions focused on epidemiological and laboratory surveillance, assistance, and vector control. The planning of actions and the coordinated response are carried out jointly with states and municipalities.

VACCINE - The minister emphasized Brazil's pioneering role in acquiring a vaccine to offer in the public health system, but stressed that the immunizing agent must be seen as a hope, not as a response to the current crisis situation. This is because there is a production limitation from the manufacturer, which prevents the immunizing agent from being offered widely, and the vaccine also does not meet the needs of the population over 60 years of age, which is one of the population groups at highest risk of severe illness.

“The vaccine is our hope for a future without dengue, but today it is not the most impactful tool. We must, above all, prevent and care: control mosquito breeding sites in our homes and care for those who become ill. We are counting on everyone in this campaign,” stated Nísia.

The first shipment of approximately 757 doses arrived in Brazil on January 20th. This batch is part of a total of 1,32 million doses supplied by the pharmaceutical company. Another shipment, with more than 568 doses, is scheduled for delivery in February. In addition to this first batch of 1,3 million vaccines, the Ministry of Health has acquired the total available from the manufacturer for 2024: 5,2 million doses. According to the company, deliveries are expected throughout the year, until December. For 2025, the Ministry has already contracted for another 9 million doses.

The vaccine will be administered to the population in endemic regions, in 521 municipalities, starting this month. The process was organized with representatives from the state and municipal health departments – following the recommendations of the Technical Advisory Chamber on Immunization (CTAI) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

QUADRO - In 2024, Brazil registered 217.481 probable cases of dengue fever, with 51.448 cases in epidemiological week 1 (December 31 to January 6), 62.665 in week 2 (January 7 to 13), 71.779 probable cases of dengue fever in week 3 (January 14 to 20), and 31.589 cases in epidemiological week 4 (April 21 to 27).

With the start of the rainy season and high temperatures, and given the warning issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) about the increase in arboviruses due to climate change caused by El Niño, the Ministry of Health coordinated a series of preparatory activities for the 2024 season.

CAMPAIGNS - In November, the Ministry of Health launched new mobilization campaigns, tailored to the realities of each region of the country and the specific characteristics of this epidemiological scenario. In December, the National Arbovirus Room was established, a permanent space for real-time monitoring of locations with the highest incidence. This measure allows for strategically targeting surveillance actions in the most affected regions. Another initiative was the holding of a national meeting to prepare for the period of high arbovirus transmission, with the participation of all 27 states and 42 municipalities. In the same month, the Ministry issued an Alert Note regarding the increase in cases of dengue and Chikungunya in the national territory.

TRANSFERS - To support states and municipalities, the Ministry of Health allocated R$ 256 million nationwide as part of a reinforcement effort to combat the disease. Also in 2023, the ministry trained approximately 12 health professionals, including doctors and nurses, to act as multipliers for clinical management, surveillance, and control of the disease.

The Federal Government also normalized insecticide stocks, which had been in a critical situation since the beginning of 2023. In total, 142,5 kilograms of larvicide were distributed; 9,6 kilograms of adulticide for residual application at strategic points; and 156,7 liters of adulticide for Ultra Low Volume (ULV) spatial application.

For 2024, new acquisitions were made, including 400 kilograms of larvicide and 12,6 kilograms of adulticide for residual application. All states are supplied with these inputs. Agreements are also underway to provide assistance to states in emergency situations.