Launching a monitoring panel for mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever

The state government has launched a monitoring panel for viral diseases transmitted mainly by mosquitoes (arthropod viruses), such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. Initiated by the Center for Public Health Emergency Operations (COE) Arboviruses and in partnership between the Department of Health (SES) and the Department of Planning, Governance and Management (SPGG), the commission will provide greater visibility into transmission. These viruses.

In the summer of 2021, the state recorded outbreaks of chikungunya and Zika and the largest epidemic of dengue fever since the first indigenous cases (contracted on gaucho grounds) in 2007, with more than expected cases and deaths, biologist Jader Cardoso explained. , from the State Health Surveillance Center (Cevs). In addition, in 2021, after 12 years, the spread of yellow fever virus was detected, reaching monkeys in more than 30 municipalities.

The commission, which began on Thursday (10/3), provides information such as the municipalities where mosquitoes that transmit these diseases have been found (Aedes aegypti, in the case of dengue, Zika, chikungunya; and Haemagogus leucocelaenus, in the case of yellow fever. sylvatic) The number of cases and deaths that can be viewed by year, age group and municipality. It also reports primate mortality records (epidemics) and yellow fever vaccination information.

The goal is to provide access to this information to anyone, whether a citizen, a general manager, or a health professional. Another advantage is monitoring case progress and preparing a population response in vector control strategies (mosquitoes) or health network setup. From a business point of view, this will be a tool that will bring together results from several technical areas, allowing an integrated view of human cases of sexually transmitted viruses, immunizations, monitoring of howler monkeys dying with yellow fever, and other data,” Gader added.

In the future, the commission should be expanded, including information on surveillance and vector control. This partnership between the secretariats begins a new phase of database integration, information system development and health information dissemination.

The board is part of Geoportal, the public interface to the State Spatial Data Infrastructure (Iede). It is a strategic project of SPGG, which has been consolidated as the main platform for sharing geospatial data, services and applications in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

“The committee is an important input for monitoring the epidemiological scenario and for decision-making in areas related to health surveillance and vector control,” says Maria do Socorro Barbosa, Director of Eddy.

“The commission will provide transparency and information about these viral diseases. It will collect data that will help us make better decisions regarding strategies to counter the proliferation of cases,” Health Minister Arita Bergman said.

Improving prevention measures

Arboviruses are diseases caused by viruses transmitted mainly by mosquitoes. The most common arthropod viruses in urban environments are dengue, Zika and chikungunya. The viruses that cause these diseases are transmitted by Aedes aegypti. Yellow fever occurs in forested areas and the virus that causes it is transmitted to non-human primates (howler monkeys) by wild mosquitoes. Primate mortality (epidemic) records indicate areas where yellow fever vaccine should be applied.

In April 2021, the SES declared a public health emergency of concern to the state, and the following month, it established the Arboviruses Public Health Emergency Operations Center (COE). One of the objectives of the Center of Excellence, coordinated by the International Atomic Energy Commission, is planning and expression for improved prevention, control and response measures to the emergence of arboviruses.

• Click here and access the panel.

_{Text: Marilia Bisego / Ascom SES
Edition: Secom}