The reported unprecedented dengue fever in Santa Catarina in a patient from Itajaí has ​​put health authorities on alert. For the first time, the state has a patient with Type 3 of the disease, which can be especially serious for those who have already been infected.

For the first time in history, a case of dengue fever type 3 was reported in Santa Catarina – Photo: Freepik/Reproduction

The specific case is imported, that is, the infection occurred not in Santa Catarina, but in Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic. However, DIVE (Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance) warns of an epidemic, taking into account climatic factors.

The arrival of summer and rains in recent months increase dengue transmission

The rains of recent months and the arrival of summer contribute to the spread of the disease as Aedes Aegypti lays eggs in standing water. Since the last season of the year sees a lot of heavy and rapid rainfall, it is a favorable scenario for mosquitoes.

Standing water is one of the main breeding grounds for Aedes Aegypti. Photo: Palosa City Hall/Disclosure/ND

Type 3, classified as DEN3, was discovered in May in Brazil, the first time it has appeared in the country in 15 years. Authorities have been tracking the subtype ever since.

If a person who has previously had dengue becomes infected with DEN3, they are at high risk of developing severe dengue. There is also a fourth type, DEN4, but it is not in circulation.

Santa Catarina currently has more than 118,000 cases, with 98 deaths to date, according to DIVE. The panel also took note of the turnover of chikungunya, which recorded 16 transmission records in the state in 2023.