The provincial Ministry of Health reported this Friday 10,700 new cases of dengue In cordoba. Health authorities detailed that the circulation of the virus began to decrease and recommended maintaining prevention measures.
The number of total reports rose to 108,097, according to data from the Epidemiology Directorate. Meanwhile, the total number of deaths rose to 47.
No new chikungunya infections were detected. In total, 39 positive diagnoses were computed for this virus, which is also transmitted by the Aedes aegypti. Of them, 33 were native.
The ages with the highest incidence
The Health report detailed that the majority of cases occurred in the population between 20 and 24 years old. The average was 29 years old.
Regarding the level of complexity, 4.5% needed hospitalization and the rest returned home the same day.
The figure includes cases confirmed by specific laboratory analysis that detects the virus (called “etiological”). And also those who are considered positive “due to epidemiological link”: this group includes people who have symptoms, do not have risk factors and are located in high circulation areas.
The specific laboratory analysis is performed on pregnant women, children born to positive mothers, hospitalized patients, patients with complications, deceased and imported cases. In the latter, the virus is detected to know, above all, the serotype that caused the infection.
In Argentina, the majority of dengue infections occur with the DEN 2 serotype, followed by 1. These are the different versions that the same virus presents. The problem may appear when imported cases of a different type are detected (such as 3 and 4), since it increases the chances of generating serious illnesses in patients.
Early
This year, dengue cases were reported early, as was the peak of the infection. In some provinces in northeastern Argentina, the virus circulated in all months – both winter and summer – and the number of positive diagnoses far exceeded the total reported in 2023.
In Córdoba, the first two imported cases were recorded on December 8. The peak was recorded towards the end of March and beginning of April (epidemiological weeks 13 and 14).
Although more than 50% of the cases corresponded to the provincial capital, the highest incidence was recorded in inland towns.
According to data from the provincial Ministry of Health (which correspond to epidemiological week 11, that is, the second week of March), the highest incidence was recorded in Brinkmann and El Tío. In these two towns, more than five thousand cases were registered per 100 thousand inhabitants.
Devoto and Luque registered a rate of more than 3 thousand cases per 100 thousand inhabitants, followed by Las Varillas, Arroyito and Villa del Rosario.
In the city of Córdoba, the incidence did not reach 500 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants.
Prevention all year round
Nora Glatstein, president of the Epidemiology Society of Córdoba, maintained that preventive measures must occur throughout the year. And she stressed that all mosquitoes must be eliminated, not just those that cause dengue.
The specialist explained that, last year, the curve began to rise towards the end of February, beginning of March. “We thought it was going to be the largest epidemic of the century. Many cases were recorded in four weeks, and then it began to decrease,” she explained in a talk organized by the Faculty of Chemical Sciences of the National University of Córdoba.
On the other hand, during this season, some provinces in northeastern Argentina reported sustained viral circulation throughout the year. In the central region, the first positive diagnoses occurred in November and December. “In the first week of February, the curve rose rapidly. The peak was anticipated.”
“Due to climate change, Argentina became a tropical and subtropical country. This favors the presence of Aedes aegypti for longer. Since we have cases all year round, prevention should be done in winter and summer. If we wait until September, we will be late,” he highlighted.
Warning signs
Glatstein recalled that some patients will need outpatient care and others will require hospitalization. Everything will depend on the warning signs and the “associated conditions”, according to the classification of the World Health Organization.
The organization defines that a patient without warning symptoms can be treated in a primary care center, such as a dispensary. Those vulnerable for any reason, such as pregnant women, children under 1 year of age and patients with comorbidities, should be referred to a hospital to be evaluated if they need hospitalization.
On the other hand, those who present abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding in the mucous membranes, lethargy, irritability or hypotension should be evaluated urgently because they have warning symptoms. The indication is usually admission to a common room. The last category corresponds to severe dengue and requires intensive care. Here are patients with respiratory difficulty, massive bleeding or involvement of different organs.
“In all cases, you have to consult. The doctor will assess what type of care each patient will need,” concluded the epidemiologist.
