Since the beginning of the year, Juiz de Fora has registered more than five thousand cases of dengue, according to data from the arbovirus monitoring panel from the State Department of Health (SES-MG), in addition to three confirmed deaths from the disease. A survey released by the Health Department of Juiz de Fora City Hall (SS-PJF), following a request from the Tribune, showed that the Center was the neighborhood with the highest incidence of dengue cases. An expert interviewed by Tribuna highlighted that the number of cases may be associated with economic and health coverage aspects.
The PJF survey considered cases registered until April 18th. In the Center, there were 294 confirmations for dengue. Then, Monte Castelo (230), Santo Antônio (217), São Mateus (197), Benfica (153) and São Pedro (152) appear. In total, the City Hall made available data on the 22 neighborhoods with the highest incidence of the disease. See the table alongside.
The survey shows that dengue is not concentrated in a specific region, considering that the neighborhoods with the highest number of cases are located in places such as the central area, North Zone, Southeast Zone, South Zone and West Zone. According to the Undersecretary of Health Surveillance, Jonathan Ferreira Tomaz, the City Hall conducts certain actions in places with the highest incidence.
“When a neighborhood or region with a higher incidence of cases is identified, the City Hall directs its entire workforce there, intensifying the action of agents to combat endemic diseases, proceeding with chemical blockade and vector control, and also promoting joint efforts cleaning through the Boniteza Program.”
Notifications occur in neighborhoods with health coverage, points out infectious disease specialist
According to an assessment by infectologist Marcos Moura, the high number of dengue cases in these neighborhoods may be related to economic aspects and also health coverage, considering that cases will be reported in places that offer this service. “In neighborhoods with people with greater purchasing power, you end up having greater notification and the number of cases increases, because they seek care or have easier access to medical care.”
Most hospitals are located in the South Region of Juiz de Fora, which may explain the high number of cases in neighborhoods such as Centro, São Mateus, Santa Luzia and Alto dos Passos, according to the specialist. Furthermore, mild cases of dengue are not reported, as are those that progress well, considering that, in these situations, people do not usually seek care. Therefore, it is possible that there is underreporting of dengue in the city.
“When we take a map of these dengue cases, we clearly see that it can have both an economic and warning bias. A person who does not have UBS does not have any illness. Where there is no assistance, it doesn’t show up,” she explains. “When a person is not serious, they stay at home and it goes unnoticed. This does not mean that there are no cases, nor that there is mosquito control.”
City records downward trend in dengue cases
The Arbovirus Monitoring panel of the State Department of Health has been recording, in recent weeks, a downward trend in the weekly number of dengue cases in Juiz de Fora. According to Marcos Moura, it is natural that, after a rapid increase in the number of cases of the disease, there will be a drop due to a block in transmission. Furthermore, the drop in temperatures also contributes to the reduction in cases. However, this does not mean that there will be no new contaminations.
“The female (Aedes) can lay eggs, and these eggs hatch some time later, as they have a very long resistance”, explains the infectious disease specialist. “It is known that the egg of a female with dengue fever can remain in the environment waiting to hatch for more than a year. Therefore, hygiene, public health, care and cleaning measures must be maintained at all times. And even so, anyone who has not had dengue should continue using repellent.”
This guidance is reinforced by the Undersecretary of Health Surveillance, Jonathan Ferreira Tomaz, especially in places with the highest number of dengue cases. “The guidance for neighborhoods with the highest incidence remains the same: eliminate possible mosquito breeding sites, that is, take those ten minutes a week, check gutters, eliminate tires, bottles and other useless items that can accumulate water, and also receive agents to combat endemic diseases.”
