Alagoas started a vaccination campaign against dengue on Monday, May 29
Dengue mosquito on the map of Alagoas – @BR104
Alagoas has 7,747 suspected and 4,325 confirmed cases of dengue, according to the most recent epidemiological bulletin released by the State Department of Health (Sesau). The state also registered three confirmed deaths in Atalaia, Viçosa and Porto de Pedras, in addition to investigating another five deaths in Teotônio Vilela, Boca da Mata, Maceió (2 cases) and São Luís do Quitunde.
In response to the increase in cases and the seriousness of the situation, Alagoas began a campaign to dengue vaccination on Monday, May 29th. In this first phase, 22,180 doses of the vaccine were distributed, benefiting 12 cities. The state expects to receive a total of 88,694 doses.
The campaign’s target audience is children and adolescents between 10 and 14 years old, who, according to the Ministry of Health, represent the age group with the highest number of hospitalizations due to the disease.
Dengue
Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is also a vector of zika and chikungunya. Symptoms include high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, malaise, vomiting and red spots on the body.
Prevention and Control
Dengue prevention involves measures to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, such as:
- Keep water tanks, barrels, drums and buckets closed and properly sealed.
- Do not leave water accumulated on the slab and gutters.
- Fill plant dishes with sand to the brim or wash them weekly.
- Discard objects that may accumulate standing water.
In addition to individual actions, community participation and the implementation of effective public policies for mosquito control and case management are crucial.
With the arrival of the vaccine, a reduction in the number of cases is expected, especially in the most vulnerable age groups.
