Only 31 of Rio Grande do Sul's 497 municipalities have recorded infestations of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits dengue fever, this year, according to data from the state health department. To date, Republika Srpska has already accumulated 47,300 confirmed cases of the disease and 57 deaths – a figure that exceeds the cumulative tally for 12 months of 2023 of 54 deaths. The scenario is not isolated, as a state of general disaster is also occurring in several Brazilian states.
In gray are cities that do not report dengue fever
| Image: reproduction
Data collected from the state government shows that case notifications prevail in patients aged 20 to 60 years. Deaths are concentrated in people aged 70 years and older and those with certain comorbidities.
Despite the catastrophic situation in Rio Grande do Sul, the Ministry of Health does not expect the country to be included in the dengue vaccine rollout in the Unified Health System (SUS) this year. Rio Grande do Sul and ten other states were excluded from the immunization calendar released in January this year.
For 2025, the Ministry of Health will once again evaluate the epidemiological scenario of the disease and the amount of doses available before determining the strategy. But dengue vaccine is available in the private health network.
Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
