Dengue: US Embassy warns anyone who wants to come to Brazil – 02/21/2024 – Balance and Health

The United States embassy and consulates in Brazil issued a statement on Tuesday (20), warning North American travelers about the transmission of dengue fever and oropouche fever in the country. The warning came from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Due to the higher-than-normal number of cases in the country, the two diseases were included by the CDC in the level 1 travel health alert — there are four levels in total. The first advises usual precautions; the last, that Americans avoid visiting the place.

The dengue alert asks anyone leaving the US to use mosquito repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors; in addition to advising them to sleep in rooms with air conditioning, screens on the windows or “insecticide-treated bed nets”.

The recommendation extends to other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, such as Colombia, Costa Rica, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique and Saint Martin Island.

Brazil reached 650,000 cases of dengue amid the historic escalation of the disease, which killed 113 people in the first seven weeks of 2024. Earlier this month, the Minister of Health, Nísia Trindade, made a national statement calling for a mobilization against the outbreaks of dengue in the country.

In the midst of this, however, the states of Amazonas and Acre also record high numbers of oropouche fever (transmitted by the mosquito Culicoides paraensepopularly known as maruim), with symptoms similar to those of the Aedes Aegypti.

Manaus, the most populous capital of the Amazon region, registered three times more cases of oropouche fever until the beginning of February this year than all records last year. According to the Municipal Health Department, there were 217 people infected in 2023 and, in 2024, 672 confirmed cases until February 3rd alone.

The CDC warning states that the disease can occur in people of any age and is often confused with dengue fever.

“Travelers to these states in Brazil should take steps to avoid insect bites, seek medical assistance if they develop a high fever, headache, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills, or sensitivity to light during or after travel.” , says the American agency.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) also issued an epidemiological alert about the disease at the beginning of February.

“In recent months, there has been an increase in the detection of cases of oropouche fever in certain areas of the Americas. Additionally, there is a high prevalence of circulating dengue fever reported in several countries in the region. In response to this, the Pan American Organization of Health/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) shares recommendations for the differential diagnosis of the oropouche virus and recommends strengthening vector control and personal protection measures for the population most at risk.”