Dengue Fever risk in Belo Horizonte

Dengue Fever Prevention Guide for Belo Horizonte

Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, joint pain, and rash. In severe cases, it can cause hemorrhagic complications. There is no specific treatment, making prevention essential.

Why Belo Horizonte is at risk:

Belo Horizonte's warm, humid climate creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. The city's dense population and urban water storage practices increase transmission potential. Standing water in tires, bottles, and uncovered containers serves as breeding grounds. Peak transmission occurs during the rainy season from October to March, but risk persists year-round.

Your 5 Prevention Steps:

1. Eliminate standing water. Empty and scrub flower pots, buckets, pet bowls, and old tires weekly. Mosquitoes lay eggs in any stagnant water, even in bottle caps. Turn over unused containers and drill holes in recycling items left outdoors.

2. Use repellent daily. Apply DEET or picaridin-based repellent on exposed skin, especially during early morning and late afternoon when Aedes mosquitoes are most active. Reapply every 4-6 hours.

3. Install screens and sleep under nets. Ensure windows have intact mosquito screens. Use bed nets treated with insecticide, particularly for children and during daytime rest periods when these mosquitoes bite.

4. Wear protective clothing. Choose long sleeves and pants in light colors. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors and exposed skin.

5. Report breeding sites to health authorities. Contact Belo Horizonte's Zoonosis Control Center at (31) 3277-7722 to report stagnant water in public areas. Community action reduces city-wide transmission.

Seek immediate medical care if you develop high fever with severe headache or pain behind eyes. Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen without medical guidance, as these worsen bleeding risk. Early detection saves lives.