Brazil recorded 158,382 probable cases of chikungunya in 2024, according to data from the Arbovirus Panel, with daily reports on dengue, zika and chikungunya, from the Ministry of Health updated this Friday (27/4). The number exceeds the total rate for 2023, 158,061.
Despite the increase in disease records, the percentage did not break the record for the historical series. The highest number of cases of the disease was detected in 2016, with 277,882, followed by 2017, with 185,593.
To date, 80 deaths from the disease have been confirmed since January and 102 are still under investigation. Throughout last year, there were 122. According to the Ministry of Health, the record number of lives lost to chikungunya was recorded in 2016, with 318.
Minas Gerais is the federation unit with the highest incidence of the disease, with 486.5 cases for every 100 thousand inhabitants. Followed by Espírito Santo (206.8), Mato Grosso (181.2) and Mato Grosso do Sul (129).
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Dengue, zika and chikungunya are diseases whose names are known in Brazil. The three viruses transmitted by the same mosquito, Aedes aegypti, have a higher incidence in the country during rainy and hot periods, and present similar symptoms, although small subtleties differentiate them.
Joao Paulo Burini
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Fever, body pain and red spots are common symptoms of dengue and other diseases. Despite this, the different way in which they evolve, the duration of symptoms and the degree of complication are some of the differences between them.
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Being aware of the signs and knowing how to identify the distinctions is important for an accurate diagnosis and treatment, because, despite what people think, these diseases are dangerous and can kill
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In dengue, signs and symptoms last between two and seven days. The most frequent complications, in addition to those already mentioned, are abdominal pain, severe dehydration, liver and neurological problems, as well as dengue hemorrhagic fever.
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In addition, pain behind the eyes and bleeding in mucous membranes, such as the mouth and nose, can also occur in patients who contract dengue.
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The symptoms of Zika are the same as those of dengue, but the infection is not usually as severe and passes more quickly. There is, however, a complication if the infected person is pregnant.
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In these situations, the disease can harm the developing baby, causing microcephaly, neurological changes and/or Guillain-Barré syndrome, in which the nervous system starts to attack the body’s own nerve cells.
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Chikungunya symptoms last up to 15 days and, according to experts, it causes the most body pain among the three diseases
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Like Zika infection, chikungunya can result in neurological changes and Guillain-Barré syndrome
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Although there are no treatments for the diseases, there are medications that can alleviate the symptoms, as well as the recommendation of complete rest. Furthermore, aspirin should not be used, as it may worsen the patient’s condition.
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If you suspect infection with any of the viruses, it is important to go to the hospital to identify what it is and, thus, start appropriate treatment as quickly as possible.
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Aedes aegypti is a mosquito that takes advantage of scattered rubbish and poorly maintained places and is favored by heat and rain. Therefore, preventing the presence of standing water in your home, street and business is enough to stop the proliferation of the insect.
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Disease transmission
Like dengue and zika, chikungunya is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The main way to prevent diseases is to eliminate stored water that can become possible breeding grounds for mosquitoes, such as in plant pots, tires, plastic bottles and unused or under-maintenance swimming pools.
The main symptoms are:
- Fever
- Severe joint pain
- Joint swelling
- Back pain
- Muscle aches
- Red spots on the body
- Generalized or localized itchy skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
- Headache
- Pain behind the eyes
- Non-purulent conjunctivitis
In cases of suspicion of the disease, the indication is to seek the nearest Emergency Care Unit (UPA) or health center.
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