This year, Brazil is facing the worst dengue epidemic in its history. With 6.1 million probable cases in the first half of the year, records of the disease exceed those from the same period in 2023 by 346% — the worst epidemic yet. The increase was driven by high rates in the Southeast, South, and Central-West regions, which together account for 93% of probable cases, a total of 5.7 million, according to data from the Ministry of Health’s Arbovirus Monitoring Panel.
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95% of Deaths
The three regions also recorded 95% of dengue deaths in the country until Sunday (07/07). The number of deaths from the disease also reached a record number in the first six months of the year — 4,250 lives were lost. The previous record had been recorded in the 12 months of 2023, with 1,094 deaths.
Epidemic Factors
Climate change, circulation of vectors in new locations, and lack of public health preparedness are the main factors pointed out by experts to explain the historic epidemic. The South region, for example, had no history of dengue epidemics because temperatures were lower, but this has changed since 2023 due to the effect of El Niño.
Vaccines
Since February, the country has received doses of the Qdenga vaccine, manufactured by the Japanese company Takeda and pre-qualified by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Ministry of Health acquired all available stock of the vaccine, which should continue to arrive until November, but it is not enough.
In addition to Qdenga, a Brazilian vaccine is being produced by the Butantan Institute, in the final testing phase. The vaccine is expected to be ready in September and delivered in 2025.
Sources: A Folha de SP.
