Social mobilization is essential to reduce fatal cases of dengue, said virologist Robert Paulino, who highlighted that to date licensed vaccines against dengue have not been able to be used in highly endemic countries.
This occurs, explained the Dominican researcher, because vaccines are affected when the levels of antibodies (due to the infection) are very high in the population and are therefore considered ineffective, but could nevertheless be used to reduce morbidity. associated with viral infection.
When referring to social mobilization, he detailed the importance of cleaning the environment, eliminating possible breeding grounds among children; use repellent, mosquito nets and above all go to our doctor in the presence of fever, rash, retrocular and muscle pain.
It is important to keep in mind, he insisted, that when the fever disappears is when the platelets can drop, so it is important to seek medical assistance.
Increase in cases
Paulino highlighted that during 2023 more than 3 million cases of Dengue have been reported in the region, being the highest annual incidence since 1980 and that this increase responds to several reasons, such as climate, variants and behavior.
He recalled that the vector of the DENV virus is the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can reproduce its eggs in conditions of humidity and temperatures of more than 30C and that this is something that has become more frequent in the last 10 years. They are expected to favor a 10-20% epidemic increase.
When referring to the variant, he pointed out that in recent years the dengue virus circulating in the country was genotype 2, and that this year genotype 3 has been identified, therefore those who had had previous exposure to it and infection with others, since immunity is only achieved for a single genotype, will have worse symptoms.
Regarding behavior, he said that dengue cases are associated with summer and rainy seasons, precisely what is happening today in the Dominican Republic.
He pointed out that, considering that the rains have filled small domestic water reservoirs, such as jars, plants such as bromeliads, waste plastics, glasses, bottles, among others, these are the favorite places for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.
2023-09-08 14:25:26
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