After four months of emergency, the City Hall of Belo Horizonte (PBH) declared the end of the dengue epidemic in the city on Thursday (June 13). The decision takes into account the decline in attendance in the city's health units.
“Today we have very few cases. We can say that we have triumphed and overcome dengue fever. Last year, we started a very big effort, but we were surprised by the scale of the epidemic. We have never seen such a violent dengue epidemic year.” But we have faced before SUS was very effective and efficient, and proportionately, we had fewer deaths from dengue,” celebrated the Mayor of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fuad Numan (PSD).
According to PBH, rates registered a downward trend in the first 10 days of June, when there were just over 3,000 consultations. Regarding the largest demand for assistance, recorded in March, when there was more than 190,000 assistance, the number decreased to 30,000 in May, a decrease of 84%. As a result, the city council decided to terminate the decree that allowed emergency measures in the health sector.
The city council published the ordinance creating a public health emergency in February of this year, when the municipality recorded a significant increase in arbovirus-related care, rising from 28,696 in January to 118,312 the following month.
In January, the municipal health department began measures to increase residents' access to assistance, announcing an arbovirus control plan, opening health centers on Saturdays and Sundays and intensifying mosquito control and prevention measures.
To confront the largest dengue epidemic, PBH invested about R$37.2 million, of which R$19.79 million was only in emergency situations. “The work of the City Hall was very effective. We have to take our hats off to the health workers who worked tirelessly. Of the 70 deaths, 30 of them were in the SUS network. This is our thanks to everyone,” said the mayor.
cases
In 2024, 72,624 cases of dengue have already been confirmed in Belo Horizonte and 70 deaths. There are 143,211 reported cases awaiting laboratory test results and epidemiological evaluations. 22,747 cases were investigated and eliminated.
Regarding chikungunya, 4,880 cases and five deaths have been confirmed. There are 1,834 reported cases awaiting results. There are no records of Zika cases in the capital.
Services
According to PBH, with the increase in demand for care, the municipal health department has opened new services and promoted the recruitment of professionals. Arbovirus Service Centers (CAAs) and Volemic Replacement Units (URVs) have been implemented in the Central, South, Barreiro and North-West regions. In CAAs, more than 16 thousand people applied. URVs received about 3,500 patients for hospitalization.
In addition, three hospitals were opened, one of which was the Campaign Hospital, in the northern region, and two temporary hospitals, in Venda Nova and the western region. Together, according to PBH, the equipment has served 27,500 people and performed 3,000 hospitalizations.
Considering all units, the city provided about 500,000 services. In the last two epidemics, in 2016 and 2019, 189,000 and 168,000 consultations were carried out, respectively. The City Council also coordinated with hospitals serving the unified health system, opening 117 beds for adults and children, in addition to 24 intensive care beds.
Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.