Fight against dengue needs to go global, says health minister
Climate change has extended the reach of dengue fever and other diseases caused by the mosquito Aedes aegypti. As a result, strategies should take on a global dimension, further reinforcing the need for mutual collaboration between authorities, both for prevention and awareness raising, Brazilian Health Minister Nísia Trindade declared Thursday (Dec. 12).
In an interview on the TV program Bom Dia Ministra, produced by EBC, Minister Andrade also said there is a sufficient stock of vaccines against COVID-19 and advocated points in the tax reform report on the zero tax rate for various medicines in Brazil’s affordable drugs program.
She talked about the ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the role of states, municipalities, and the people in the fight against dengue fever, stressing the need to expand collaborative action, as the disease has moved to regions and countries with no previous cases.
Dengue fever
“Dengue fever is now a global health problem, even in subtropical areas—like Uruguay and South Brazil, which are also suffering from dengue fever now. It’s worth remembering that global warming is responsible for this. So we’ll have more countries facing this problem,” the minister stated.
In this connection, the minister advocated the development of a plan that is also global to tackle this and other diseases transmitted by the mosquito, like Zika and chikungunya.
Another key area mentioned by the minister is the development of technology to control the mosquito. Even though no national plan has yet been drawn for the large-scale use of specific technology, some cities and states are already implementing technological tools with the ministry’s support.
“In September this year we launched a plan to combat dengue. It includes prevention and raising awareness among the people, who are also major players, as are the municipalities, because of the amount of urban waste piling up and the water sources in which the mosquito can proliferate. These are linked to city management,” she pointed out.
National mobilization
Minister Nísia Trindade also reiterated the importance of the D-Day for the Mobilization Against Dengue—an event scheduled for Saturday (14)—in further spreading awareness campaigns and engaging people throughout the country to stop the proliferation of breeding sites.
“The entire government will be involved, including governors and ministers. Our secretaries will be deployed throughout Brazil. It’s going to be a really important day,” she said.
