As Argentina braces for what is anticipated to be its worst-ever dengue season, the country is facing a critical shortage of insect repellent, leaving residents vulnerable to the mosquito-borne virus.
Dengue, a mosquito-borne virus that can cause severe illness and in some cases, fatalities, has prompted concerns across the nation.
While a dengue vaccine exists, its distribution remains limited, leaving many reliant on preventive measures such as insect repellent to avoid the virus.
Reports indicate a scarcity of repellent products, with supermarkets and pharmacies displaying “no repellent” signs. In places where repellent is available, particularly online, prices have surged to exorbitant levels.
The government has acknowledged the shortage, attributing it to a “bottleneck” that will be corrected in the coming days.
However, citizens, particularly in Buenos Aires, express apprehension as the dengue outbreak intensifies, with hundreds of thousands already affected.
The dearth of repellents became apparent in March, with manufacturing companies attributing the shortfall to forecasting errors and lengthy production processes.
Minister of Health, Mario Russo, has acknowledged the issue, citing a problem between supply and demand.
Dengue, prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, manifests through symptoms such as high fever, headaches, swollen glands, and rashes.
Argentina’s health ministry issued a stark warning on Saturday as the country reels from a staggering 163,419 reported cases of dengue fever thus far in 2024.
Disturbingly, fatalities have been documented across all age demographics, with individuals over 80 years old exhibiting the highest mortality rate. The ministry advised people to avoid bites with the use of repellents and seek medical attention if symptoms of the illness develop.
In response to the escalating crisis, health authorities have urged the populace to prioritize preventive measures. Additionally, individuals are advised to promptly seek medical assistance upon experiencing symptoms associated with the illness.
The surge in dengue cases is not unique to Argentina, as the entire Americas region grapples with a significant uptick in infections.
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), dengue cases in the Americas have tripled in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay have borne the brunt of this alarming trend, with PAHO officials characterizing the situation as potentially the most severe outbreak in the region’s history. Combined, these three countries account for a staggering 98% of all reported cases and 87% of deaths attributed to the virus.
Regional health authorities have recorded a staggering tally of over 3.5 million cases and a thousand deaths, underscoring the urgency of the situation. The United Nations health agency has sounded the alarm, attributing the unprecedented surge in dengue cases to the exacerbating effects of global warming and El Niño weather patterns.
Melissa Enoch
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