Niteroi’s Successful Dengue Prevention Strategy Shines Amid Rio’s Outbreak
In the midst of Rio de Janeiro’s dengue fever outbreak, neighboring city Niteroi has managed to keep the disease at bay with its successful prevention strategy. While Rio has seen over 42,000 cases of dengue this year, Niteroi has only had 403 suspected cases. The city’s incidence rate per capita is one of the lowest in the state, with just 69 confirmed cases per 100,000 people. So, what is Niteroi doing differently?
The key to Niteroi’s success lies in a pilot program launched in 2015, which involves breeding mosquitoes that carry a type of bacteria called Wolbachia. This bacteria has been found to interrupt the transmission of the dengue virus between humans. The strategy was pioneered by the nonprofit World Mosquito Program and has been tested in various countries, including Brazil.
Niteroi’s Mayor Axel Grael sought help after a dengue epidemic in 2012, which resulted in thousands of notifications and one fatality. The city partnered with the state-run Fiocruz Institute, the World Mosquito Program, and the Health Ministry to implement the Wolbachia technique. Since then, the number of dengue cases has significantly decreased. Mayor Grael expressed his satisfaction with the results, stating, “Today, after applying the Wolbachia technique, we have much better results.”
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms can range from high fever and headaches to body aches, nausea, and a rash. While most people recover within a week, severe cases can be fatal. Rio de Janeiro’s frequent rains and high temperatures make it particularly susceptible to dengue outbreaks, which occur every couple of years.
Despite Niteroi’s success in preventing dengue, the city continues to invest heavily in prevention measures. Every day, hundreds of health workers are sent to survey neighborhoods, streets, rooftops, forested areas, small businesses, and junkyards to promote best practices. They focus on eliminating any standing water where mosquitoes could lay their eggs, as even the cap of a plastic bottle can become a breeding ground for larvae.
One of these dedicated health workers is Augusto Cesar, who has been combating endemic diseases in Niteroi for over two decades. Cesar climbs rooftops, picks up trash, and inspects every corner of neighborhoods like Penha, searching for standing water. He emphasizes the importance of thorough inspections, as even the smallest water container can contribute to the spread of dengue.
However, Niteroi faces challenges in implementing its prevention strategy. The city’s favelas, which are often built informally, can be difficult to navigate. Health workers like Cesar often encounter obstacles while trying to access certain areas. Additionally, security is a concern in parts of the city controlled by drug traffickers or militias.
Despite these challenges, Niteroi’s success has caught the attention of other municipalities. Many have expressed interest in implementing the Wolbachia method on their own turf. The Brazilian Health Ministry has even announced plans to build a large factory to breed Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes, with the goal of producing 100 million eggs per week within the next 10 years.
Niteroi’s effective dengue prevention strategy serves as a shining example amid Rio de Janeiro’s outbreak. By breeding mosquitoes that carry the Wolbachia bacteria and implementing rigorous prevention measures, the city has managed to keep dengue cases to a minimum. As other municipalities look to replicate Niteroi’s success, it is hoped that the battle against dengue will continue to gain ground in Brazil and beyond.
