Dados do Trabalho

Título

Review of COVID-19/dengue fever co-epidemic at the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Objetivos(s)

Since 2002, dengue is endemic in Santa Cruz Island and gradually, has expanded to San Cristobal Island, where a significant outbreak with more than 900 cases occurred in 2010. Since then, less than 100 cases of dengue are reported every year from the islands. Dengue cases at the Galapagos follow the same trend as in mainland Ecuador increasing during the rainy season (February-May) and peaking approximately every 5 years. Our studies suggest that Ae aegypti is the only dengue vector species at the Galapagos and is abundant on both of the mentioned islands. Although co-infection of both pathogens (locally known as Corona-dengue), was found in continental Ecuador, it has not been to date reported at the islands. Herein, we reviewed the COVID-19/dengue co-epidemic at the Galapagos and discuss the measures adopted to fight the sanitary crisis.

Relato do Caso

A systematic review of the official information of cases of both diseases was carried out. In addition, entomological data was obtained from mosquito collections conducted since 2014 using BG traps, Prokopack aspirators and Gravid-Aedes traps (GATs). During 2020, 1419 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 120 dengue cases were recorded. In 2021, both diseases showed a reduction in the number of cases registering 553 and 85 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and dengue fever, respectively. However, in 2022, cases of COVID-19 peaked again (1282 cases) where as only 3 dengue cases have been reported to date (Up to April, 2022) from the islands. The re-opening of tourism activities at the islands announced in July 2021 after the completion of the vaccination campaign for COVID-19 and the re-initiation of social activities (family reunions and local parties) explained the rise of COVID-19 cases in 2022.

Conclusão

However, deaths due to this disease have not been recorded this year. Whether these measures adopted to return to normality were premature or timely taken is uncertain, but helped to fight the economic crisis at the islands, which was an urgent matter. The intensive vector fumigation programs to respond to the dengue outbreak in 2020 explains the gradual reduction of cases in the following years, however, extensive fumigations applied may increase the risk of insecticide resistance in the future, an issue that needs urgent attention and prompt further investigations.