Photo: Ricardo Treda/SECCOM
Santa Catarina has made two important advances in the fight against dengue: the review of the number of anti-endemic agents (ACE) and the inauguration on Monday of the Wolbachia method biofactory in Joinville, in the north of the state. The site will contain laboratories to produce technology that helps fight dengue and other arboviruses.
In March 2023, the State Health Department (SES) formalized the need for new technologies to combat dengue fever to the Ministry of Health. In October 2023, the municipality of Joinville was selected by the Ministry of Health, along with five other municipalities, based on epidemiological characteristics, to implement this new methodology.
The Wolbachia method was made possible through a partnership between the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation – Fiocruz – with the Global Mosquito Program, the Joinville City Council and the State Department of Health.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Roberto Benedetti, attended the opening ceremony of the bio-plant and highlighted the importance of joining forces in the prevention of arboviruses. “SUS is a tripartite system: the Federation, the states and the municipalities work together to take care of the health of the population. We all have a responsibility and must take further actions against dengue, such as treating cases in a timely manner and following the recommended protocol, thus avoiding serious cases and deaths caused by the disease,” he added.
In addition to implementing new techniques, it is important to highlight that everyone must do their part and clean their homes and workplaces to eliminate potential outbreaks of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Wolbachia method
This method was developed in Australia, and consists of releasing Aedes aegypti with Wolbachia bacteria so that they reproduce with the local Aedes aegypti, forming a new population of these mosquitoes.
Wolbachia prevents dengue, Zika, chikungunya and urban yellow fever viruses from developing inside insects, helping to reduce these diseases.
Dengue fever in SC
Dengue fever has reached a record high in South Carolina in 2024. The state already has more than 350,000 probable cases of the disease, with 269 deaths.
more information:
Sylvia Manrich
Communications Consulting
State Ministry of Health
(48) 99134-4078
e-mail: [email protected]
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