Government Urges Collaboration Against Dengue Epidemic Amidst Global Child Threat

RCR, June 9, 2023.- Dr. César Munayco, General Director of the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Control of Diseases of the Ministry of Health (MINSA), said that the central government, regional governments, mayors and the population must work together to prevent an increase of the dengue epidemic due to the presence of the Global Child. He also said that the purchase of a vaccine against this disease is being evaluated.

“The articulated work as seen in Piura and in the north of the country has achieved a significant impact in reducing the number of cases and that is why we have to prevent. One of the key things that we have to see is the prevention that directs the actions in these months that we have. The Global Child phenomenon is going to cause an increase in rainfall, but mainly in the jungle and can cause droughts in the south of the country, ”he said through the Regional Communication Network (RCR).

He pointed out that if the rains increase at the end of the year, the number of dengue cases can also increase. “That is why it is important to work together with the COES, with the mayors, the regional government and the organized population to have an effective response to what may come in the following months,” he said.

“We have to continue working with the actions that are currently being implemented, which have managed to reduce the number of cases. Obviously, these actions have to continue over time, because the Global Child will probably present itself. So, it is key to continue the efforts and the organized work and obviously each level of government has to assume its role that corresponds to it ”, he affirmed.

He stated that they are working with Piura and with the rest of the regions since the dengue epidemic began. “These activities have been further strengthened, mainly in Piura, because it is the region with the highest number of cases and the highest number of deaths, and the ministry has placed high commissioners in these five regions to coordinate the response,” he said.

“We already have up to four weeks with a significant drop in cases. In the north of the country, Piura, we are seeing a decrease between 25 to 30% in two weeks and it also continues to drop by the same magnitude in Lambayeque and La Libertad, in Tumbes it continues to increase and on the other hand in Lima it has also decreased. a bit and we hope that in the following week we will already see a more marked decline in those areas”, he pointed out.

He maintained that there is a decrease in dengue, but warned that if the interventions are stopped, it could increase again. “The conditions still exist for the dengue epidemic to continue. So it is important that if a decrease is already observed, it is key that the regions can continue with the interventions to prevent this from increasing again, ”he declared.

He also said that a committee of experts has met, which is evaluating the issue of vaccines. “We buy vaccines through the PAHO revolving fund, which is a mechanism that allows us to reduce costs. PAHO is already analyzing the two vaccines that we have available and depending on the progress, decisions will be made, the idea is that the vaccine is an additional tool, because in reality the vaccine is not going to solve the whole problem, ”he stressed. .

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