The arrival of rain raises the alert to warn of dengue fever

Goiás residents were excited about the arrival of rain, to reduce high temperatures, improve air quality and help fight fires—after all, the state had been rain-free for more than 120 days. But with them, comes outbreak alert and breeding grounds Aedes aegypti.

Rain increases environmental conditions conducive to the spread of vectors, especially Aedes aegypti, and for this reason the approach of the rainy season increases the need to intensify measures to combat mosquitoes that transmit so-called arthropod viruses: dengue, Zika and chikungunya. To alert municipalities about this situation, the Goiás State Department of Health (SES-GO) has published a memorandum of recommendation for municipal administrators to commit to implementing measures to control vector mosquitoes.

This year Goiás recorded a 311% increase in dengue cases, 357% in chikungunya cases and 228.75% in Zika virus cases. In the alert issued by the SES, a reference to municipalities to strengthen health monitoring teams in municipal health departments, especially endemic teams, for effective mobilization and environmental management measures. Urban clean-up, with regular garbage collection and cleaning of public spaces, squares and properties, should also be prioritized.

Measurements

SES also reports that equipment, such as an automated coastal pump, is being supplied to municipalities to support chemical control measures. The coordinator of dengue and “dengue and arboviruses” at SES-GO, Murillo do Carmo, explains.

The municipality in question must request an appointment, through the municipal health department, in its health district. Health Regionals will also be able to organize and schedule training for their municipalities.

cleaning

Another important measure is the regular inspection and cleaning of public buildings to remove potential water deposits, cleaning gutters and covering water tanks, and insulating unused toilets or swimming pools and empty tanks. Home visits should take place under the guidance of agents to residents. Community mobilization to prevent Aedes aegypti outbreaks and breeding sites considers that the vast majority of identified outbreaks occur in homes, and residents should be encouraged to undertake actions within their area of ​​responsibility.

An important guideline that should be disseminated to citizens is a once-a-week, ten-minute routine to check and eliminate potential breeding sites in their homes, such as drains, gutters, tires, cans, pet water bowls, and swimming pools. Free maintenance and open water tanks.