Argentina: Dengue fever in Misiones and Buenos Aires

Event

A rise in dengue fever transmission rates has been reported in the northeastern province of Misiones, attributed to an influx of Paraguayan tourists during the recent Easter Holy Week. At least 15 new cases were reported in the province in the week ending April 15, half of which were detected in the city of Puerto Rico; at least one case was also reported in Puerto Iguazú, home to the major tourist attraction Iguazú Falls. Increased fumigation efforts are expected.

A handful of cases of the mosquito-borne disease have also been reported in the capital Buenos Aires, i.e. 22 locally acquired cases since the beginning of the year.

Context

Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rashes. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, the enlargement of the liver, and hemorrhaging.

Argentina was hit by a major dengue fever epidemic in 2016; nearly 80,000 confirmed or probable cases of dengue fever were reported nationwide. However, only a few hundred cases were reported in 2017.

Advice

Individuals in Misiones and Buenos Aires are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites - e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping in a screened-in or air conditioned room.