Argentina’s Dengue Season Initiates with Significant Local Transmission Risks

Argentina’s dengue season for 2024/2025 started slowly with 1,443 confirmed cases. 96.9% had no travel history, indicating local transmission, particularly in the Central and Northwest regions. The Ministry of Health is implementing strategic plans for prevention, and the CDC has issued travel advisories for Dengue in the Americas due to health risks associated with international travel.

The dengue season in Argentina for 2024/2025 commenced slowly, with the Ministry of Health confirming 1,443 cases as of March 10, 2025. Notably, approximately 96.9% of these cases exhibited no travel history, indicating significant local transmission by mosquitoes. The Central and Northwest regions of Argentina have recorded the highest number of cases, totaling 816 and 237, respectively.

Among the confirmed cases, 45 individuals had traveled to countries such as Brazil, Cuba, and Mexico before their illness. Last year, millions of international travelers, predominantly visiting Buenos Aires, contributed to the dengue situation in the country. In 2024, Argentina witnessed around 581,000 dengue cases along with 400 related fatalities.

To counteract the dengue outbreaks, Minister of Health Mario Lugones convened a meeting on March 11, 2025, to discuss the strategic plan for dengue prevention and control. The meeting focused on evaluating current actions, the results so far, and further strategies to enhance the capacity of local jurisdictions to confront future outbreaks.

Additionally, advancements were made towards a national dynamic map that will collate geographical, demographic, and climatic data. This tool aims to track rainfall and temperature variations, facilitating preemptive measures against potential dengue outbreaks. Additionally, the U.S. CDC reissued a travel health advisory, warning international visitors about the health risks linked to dengue in the Americas. Since dengue vaccines are not currently available in the U.S., travelers to endemic regions are urged to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, though routine vaccinations for chikungunya and yellow fever are recommended for those planning to visit Argentina in 2025.

In summary, the 2024/2025 dengue season in Argentina has initiated with slow but concerning trends, particularly regarding local transmission. The Ministry of Health is actively addressing this public health challenge through strategic meetings and the development of a national dynamic map. Increased international travel poses additional risks, prompting health advisories and recommendations for preventative measures among travelers.

Original Source: www.vax-before-travel.com