The state has recorded 247 deaths from dengue fever this year.

Léo Rodrigues - Correspondent for Agência Brasil

The Health Department of Minas Gerais recorded 247 deaths from dengue in the state in 2016. Of these, 70,4% were over 50 years old. The numbers were presented this Wednesday (14) during the launch of the Campaign to Combat Aedes aegypti, which will be coordinated by the state management committee installed at the end of 2015 to combat the mosquito. The structure is composed of representatives from the Health Department, the State Civil Defense Coordination and other state agencies.

In addition to the 247 confirmed deaths, another 41 suspected dengue deaths are under investigation. This was the highest number of confirmed and suspected cases of the disease in the state this year. To date, there have been 526.902 cases, involving the four dengue serotypes, but with a predominance of serotype 1. In comparison, 2015 recorded 192.040 confirmed and suspected cases. Until then, the record was in 2013, when 413.743 cases were registered.

Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes Aedes aegyptiThe insect is also a vector for the virus. Zika and chikungunya fever. According to the Undersecretary for Health Surveillance and Protection of Minas Gerais, Rodrigo Said, the problem is national and requires the involvement of all spheres of public power and the population.

"We are experiencing a different scenario, which is the simultaneous circulation of three viruses that share the same vector. Today, based on global experience, there is no place that has shown effective success in controlling Aedes mosquitoes. We need to think about intensified actions with the participation of all sectors, including the population. This is the best way forward, instead of pointing fingers at who made the mistakes."

Rodrigo Said said that, despite the financial crisis affecting the country and the state, the fight against Aedes aegypti This is considered a priority action of the Government of Minas Gerais. "We will make every possible effort, with technical and financial support, to work together with the municipalities," he stated. Last week, Governor Fernando Pimentel decreed... financial calamity.

Zika and chikungunya

In 2016, 15.135 probable cases of the Zika virus were registered in municipalities in Minas Gerais. The disease was confirmed in 1.065 pregnant women, victims who are a concern because there is a risk of their babies being born with microcephaly. Throughout that year, microcephaly was observed in 220 newborns. Four of these cases were associated with the Zika virus, 12 had this link ruled out, and another 137 remain under investigation. The remaining 67 had their analysis ruled out.

Minas Gerais also recorded 482 probable victims of chikungunya fever in 2016. Although the disease appeared in the state in 2014, only this year was the first case of autochthonous transmission confirmed, which occurs when the virus is acquired within the territory of Minas Gerais itself.

For 2017, one of the main concerns of the state's Health Department is the low resistance of the state's population to diseases transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. "At the moment, we have all four dengue serotypes circulating. The Zika virus was introduced to Minas Gerais only at the end of 2015, and chikungunya fever only registered autochthonous transmission this year. We still don't have immunological protection," said Said.

Vaccines

The development of vaccines against the dengue virus increases the expectation of tackling the disease. Butantan Institute A single-dose vaccine is being developed that should be available to the public in 2018. Last week, researchers began conducting tests in Belo Horizonte in partnership with the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). By August 2017, 1.222 people will be recruited as volunteers. Tests are already underway in twelve other cities.

The French laboratory Sanofi Pasteur has already obtained approval for its vaccine from the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). Administered in three doses with a six-month interval, the vaccine has already been made available in the public health system for the population of 30 municipalities in the state of Paraná and is also for sale in private clinics. However, there is still no forecast for when the public health system in Minas Gerais will receive this new vaccine.

"We follow the guidelines of the National Immunization Program. There is a technical advisory committee responsible for cost-effectiveness studies of the implementation of any immunobiological product in the country. And so far, there is no recommendation for the use of this vaccine in public health. When there is a concrete position from the Ministry of Health, we will evaluate the best strategy for Minas Gerais," said the undersecretary.

Aedes mosquito infestation rates are above WHO-recommended levels in 80 municipalities in Minas Gerais.

See below in the report from Agência Brasil.

The Health Department of Minas Gerais released this Wednesday (14) a survey of mosquito infestation. Aedes aegypti The study was conducted in 138 municipalities in the state. In 80 of them, representing 58%, the index is above the level tolerated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The number may be higher, as only 16,2% of the cities have been analyzed so far. The state of Minas Gerais has 853 municipalities.

O Aedes aegypti It is the transmitter of dengue fever, Zika virus, and chikungunya fever. The WHO believes that the number of properties with mosquito breeding grounds is less than 1%. Seven cities in Minas Gerais – Bambuí, Bom Despacho, Governador Valadares, Aimorés, Mutum, Novo Cruzeiro, and Paracatu – presented a risk situation, registering a percentage equal to or greater than 4%. In every 100 properties analyzed, at least four had breeding grounds for the insect. The most serious case is Mutum, which registered a rate of 10,2%, followed by Governador Valadares, with 7,9%.

Another 73 municipalities are on alert, with percentages ranging from 1% to 3,9%. According to the survey, 58% of the cities analyzed are at the tolerated limit, with less than one infested property in every group of 100 analyzed. Belo Horizonte is one of them. The capital of Minas Gerais registered a rate of 0,6%.

The research classified the types of containers where breeding sites were found. 28,48% of the breeding sites were located in soil-based containers, such as barrels, drums, tanks, and wells, among others. In addition, 21,44% of the breeding sites were found in mobile containers, such as vases, saucers, and drinking troughs, and another 20,47% in fixed containers, such as construction sites, gutters, and slabs.

In smaller quantities, breeding sites were also found in tires, trash (bottles, cans, and scrap metal), natural deposits, and elevated containers such as water tanks. "More than 90% of the vector's breeding sites are indoors. Hence the importance of acting together with the population," highlighted Rodrigo Said, Undersecretary of Health Surveillance and Protection of Minas Gerais.

The survey was presented during the launch of the Campaign to Combat... Aedes aegypti, which will be coordinated by the state management committee, established at the end of 2015, to combat the mosquito. The structure is composed of representatives from the Minas Gerais State Health Department, the State Civil Defense Coordination, and other state agencies.