The number of recorded cases of dengue, which is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, increased this year in Brazil.

The probable cases of the disease increased 149% in the first five weeks of 2019 in comparison to the same period last year, according to a report published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health on February 26th. There are more than 54 thousand probable cases of dengue now compared to the much smaller number of 21 thousand in 2018.

The Southeast is where more than half of the cases (60%) have been recorded, but the South has had the largest increase: 597.7% (a jump from 258 to 1800 cases). Among the states, Tocantins in the North had the highest increase percentage wise: 1369%. The states with the highest number of cases are São Paulo (17 thousand cases) and Minas Gerais (12 thousand cases), both in the Southeast.

Other diseases

On the other hand, zika and chikungunya, diseases which are also spread by the Aedes aegypti, each decreased by 18% and 51%, respectively, this year. The North is the region with the highest number of zika (410) and chikungunya (2,730) cases.

QUESTIONS

1) Which of the alternatives is not true?
a) The number of dengue cases more than doubled in 2019.
b) The South had the lowest number of dengue cases.
c) The highest percentage increase was in the state of Tocantins.
d) Zika and chikungunya cases decreased this year.

2) What could you and your family do to prevent Aedes aegypti from spreading diseases?

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