Evolution of Severe Dengue in the Period Before and After the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Dengue is an arbovirus transmitted by female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and to a lesser extent by Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. There are four serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4; both have similar symptoms, with the main difference being the severity. Clinically differentiated by phase, dengue can be classified as: classic dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue hemorrhagic fever, dengue shock syndrome. The main symptoms are acute fever, joint pain, headaches, leukopenia and rash, with the most serious manifestations being hemorrhage, hepatomegaly, circulatory failure and others. Objective:  Comparing the cases and progress of severe dengue during the pre- and post-pandemic periods, relating the changes to the incidence of cases. Methodology: The article is exploratory and descriptive, and the inclusion method was: literature review articles, journals of scientific relevance; searched in both English and Spanish; all in a time span of 2014-2024. The PubMed, SciELO and Ministry of Health databases were used; with the help of the Descriptors in Science and Health (DeCS) website with the keywords: "Dengue" , "Dengue hemorrhagic fever", "Classical dengue" , "Dengue fever" , "Dengue hemorrhagic fever" , "Dengue Shock Syndrome" and "Dengue severe". Results and Discussion: According to the data found, before the pandemic, cases grew exponentially, with estimates of more than 100 to 400 million cases a year worldwide, with a high severity rate. In the post-pandemic period, there was an increase in the mortality rate, with a greater impact on specific age groups and those with comorbidities. In the meantime, there has been a greater institutional response to dengue awareness and prevention campaigns. Conclusion:  It is clear that during the pandemic, public health was focused on the COVID-19 virus. However, due to the growing number of cases, interventions against dengue have been stepped up. As for clinical changes in the disease, there have been no significant developments, but due to climate change and the population's health conditions, the number of cases has risen dramatically.