With dengue cases on the rise in the State, economic sectors could lose R$84.5 million by the end of this year

The increase in cases of dengue fever and other diseases transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito this year, in addition to affecting the health of thousands of people in Pernambuco, has also been compromising the operation of the State’s industries. According to the study carried out by the Federation of Industries of the State of Pernambuco (FIEPE), the financial impact so far has been R$35.5 million. If cases continue to rise, it is estimated that there will be a shock of R$84.5 million in the productivity of all economic sectors of the State – industry, commerce and services. Pernambuco is among the five states with an increasing trend in cases, according to the Ministry of Health.

According to FIEPE economist, Cézar Andrade, the incidence of arboviruses has been a constant concern for industries. “With the cases, companies have been facing everything from an increase in absenteeism due to sick leave to a reduction in work efficiency, due to the symptoms caused by these diseases”, he analyzed.

Still according to the survey data, businesspeople were asked about the main impact on their industries and the results were: 45.56% of businesspeople cited the drop in production as the main impact; 34.44% of industries had to relocate their staff, while 15.56% had to pay overtime to compensate for employees leaving due to illness. Only 4.44% of industrial entrepreneurs stated that it was necessary to hire new employees.

Regarding worker absences, the survey revealed that the percentage of absenteeism was 8.34% and that the loss of production due to absence due to arbovirus for each worker in Pernambuco amounts to R$ 2,012.71, considering seven (7) days of absence. Furthermore, almost 73% of businesspeople interviewed reported that they had employees affected by a disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti.

Given this scenario, the director of Health and Safety for Industry at SESI-PE, Fernanda Guerra, warns about the importance of diagnosing dengue, Chikungunya and Zika so that appropriate treatment can be carried out immediately for each disease, a Since employees may think it’s just a cold or a virus and thus end up camouflaging, for example, a possible outbreak of dengue within the company. “To this end, SESI-PE, which is part of the FIEPE System, offers diagnostic exams. Once the disease is identified, the employee receives appropriate treatment and returns to work more quickly, reducing the rate of absenteeism and avoiding compromising the industries’ productivity,” she explains.

Furthermore, Fernanda highlights that SESI-PE also has a telemedicine channel, created by SESI Nacional, to assist industry workers and their dependents with suspected dengue fever. Workers who show symptoms of the disease will be able to access specialized health assistance and guidance via WhatsApp (61) 3317-1414.