Dengue in Tartagal: the solidarity action of a company to reduce indigenous cases

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Dengue fever is a viral infection -producer of viruses- transmitted by mosquitoes. Dengue occurs in the tropical and subtropical climates around the planetespecially in urban and semi-urban areas.

WHO provides other information: the incidence of the disease has been multiplied by 30 over the last 50 years. According to an estimate of the organization, There are 390 million dengue infections worldwide each year and about 3.9 billion individuals in 128 countries are at risk of infection with the disease virus.

The infection causes flu symptoms and sometimes evolves into a fatal disease called severe dengue fever. Although there is no specific treatment, early detection and access to adequate medical care reduce mortality rates below 1%. But without a doubt, the most effective in the fight against dengue is the prevention.

In Argentina, there have been two major epidemics of the disease, one in 2009 and the other in 2016, the latter counting more than 70,000 cases, according to figures from the country's Ministry of Health. And one of the areas considered the most exposed to the country is in Tartagal, in the province of Salta.

To help reduce the risk of Aboriginal cases in the city of Tartagal, the campaign has been ongoing since 2009. "No to dengue fever" – Adopted by Pan American Energy (PAE) and the Mundo Sano Foundation, a private non-profit organization.

"The objectives set for the campaign were to identify, treat and eliminate the mosquito's main breeding and permanence foci Aedes aegyptiand organize days and campaigns to raise awareness of disease prevention and control measures, "he said. Agustina Zenarruza, Sustainable Development Manager of PAE.

The program is conducted by professionals, among them graduates in biology and doctorswho coordinate the activities taking into account not only the health aspects, but also the cultural aspects of each locality. Activities are carried out by health workers They receive regular training for each of the actions carried out both in the field and in the laboratory.

"Since the beginning of the program and with the certainty that this type of disease is being fought through the dissemination of information to the community, awareness campaigns have been conducted to reinforce preventive measures against the progression of the vector", said Zenarruza.

In this context, elimination campaigns are conducted – destruction of infectious foci – spraying and dissemination of information educational campaigns. The initiative relied on home inspection tours; registration of information; actions programmed according to the seasons; scientific research activities and development of guides to replicate the work.

"The accumulated experience over all these years has been the fundamental pillar of the development of a program model whose main objective is to reduce the impact of these pathologies through the implementation of implementation of strategies aimed primarily at the management of mosquito breeding sites ", consider Marcelo Abril, Executive Director of Mundo Sano.

Among the most remarkable results of the program was a reduction of larval infestation rates in periods of highest risk of epidemiological transmission Summer and autumn.

In addition, it has been shown that results achieved through sustained actions over time have a positive impact on the progressive reduction of infestation levels, and a better knowledge of the local epidemiological profile has been obtained.

In the past year, as part of vector control tasks, over 4,500 homes were visited and 455 Aedes Aegypti hatcheries were detected. "The reception of the families is very positive, they listen to the messages transmitted by the agents and allow that the inspections of their homes in search of places of reproduction are carried out and, in case of finding them, they allow us to control them to eliminate them permanently, "says Abril, at the same time, it baderts that the locality is actively participating in the activities proposed at the time of the discards by removing the used containers from their homes.

The program "No to dengue fever" was launched with the participation of the local municipality, Juan Domingo Perón de Tartagal Hospital and the country's Ministry of Health. Among other recognitions, this initiative received the Solidarity Entrepreneur Award – Ecumenical Social Forum- and the price of the Franco-Argentine Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Sustainability-CSR 2015.

The keys to prevention

-Clean the places where leaves and water can accumulate

-Use spirals, tablets and repellents when you are at home

-Do not throw rubbish in vacant lots and public spaces

– Brush containers and prevent them from accumulating water

-Clean the walls of the drains and grids with boiling water

-Avoid outdoor exhibitions during the early morning hours and the last afternoon

– Remove items that are no longer used as cans, bottles, vases and lids

-Keep the patio clean

-Use an insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing