15/06/2026 04:50 - Salud
Imagen educativa sobre el dengue mostrando el mosquito Aedes aegypti con sus características rayas en patas, rodeado de elementos de prevención como repelente, vacuna y recipientes sin agua estancada, en un diseño limpio y profesional con colores azules y verdes
World Dengue Day is commemorated every June 15 to raise awareness about a disease that reached record numbers during 2024. Under the motto "One World Against Dengue", the 2026 edition aims to promote prevention against an infection that has expanded its reach over recent decades.
The 2023-2024 season marked the worst dengue outbreak in Argentina's recent history:
Dengue is a viral disease caused by four distinct serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. Although they belong to the same viral family, they present biological and epidemiological differences that complicate both health control and preventive strategy development.
Exposure to one serotype generates lasting immunity against that specific variant, but does not guarantee complete protection against the others. Scientific evidence indicates that a second infection caused by a different serotype can increase the risk of severe cases.
ANMAT (National Administration of Drugs, Food and Medical Technology) is Argentina's regulatory agency, similar to the FDA in the United States. It approved the tetravalent vaccine in 2023.
Hospital Muñiz is one of Latin America's most prestigious infectious diseases hospitals, located in Buenos Aires, specializing in tropical diseases.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito transmits dengue. Unlike other mosquitoes, it breeds in clean, stagnant water in urban environments—flower pots, tires, water tanks, and containers.
It bites primarily during daylight hours, especially early morning and late afternoon.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Vaccine Type | Tetravalent (protects against all 4 serotypes) |
| Approved Age | From 4 years of age |
| ANMAT Approval | 2023 |
| Doses Distributed | Over 24 million in more than 40 countries |
| Efficacy vs Hospitalization (4.5 years) | 84.1% |
| Protection with Booster (2.5 years) | 90.6% |
| Clinical Follow-up | 7 years |
Tomás Orduna, infectious disease specialist and tropical medicine consultant at Hospital Muñiz, explained: "Dengue is an extraordinarily complex disease from an immunological standpoint. The coexistence of four different serotypes forces us to think about preventive strategies that consider that viral diversity."
Pablo Bonvehí, infectious disease specialist and member of the Vaccine Committee of SADI (Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases), added: "International experience shows that no single measure is sufficient to control dengue. We need integrated approaches that combine different prevention tools."
Favors the expansion of the Aedes aegypti mosquito to areas where it previously struggled to survive.
Disordered city growth creates favorable conditions for vector proliferation.
International travel and migration facilitate virus spread across regions.
Beyond Argentina, countries like Paraguay, Colombia, Peru, Honduras, and Indonesia have incorporated the tetravalent vaccine into their immunization programs.
Source: BAE Negocios
Alfredo S. Quiroga
