Dengue Outbreak, Girón (Santander), May 2023

Abstract

Introduction: In May 2023, a dengue outbreak occurred in Girón (Santander), the second municipality in the province with the highest number of cases. The study aimed to characterize and confirm the existence of the outbreak, identify risk factors, and implement prevention and control measures.

Methods: Dengue transmission in Girón was characterized using the Public Health Surveillance System (Sivigila) records. We calculated central tendency measures and the event protocol indicators for qualitative variables. The municipal endemic channel was prepared by geometric means of historical rates and its 95% confidence interval with Bortman’s methodology. We performed a geospatial analysis of the dengue cases in the municipality with the geographical coordinates, generating risk maps through Google Earth Pro.

Results: Until epidemiological week 18 of 2023, 229 dengue cases had been reported in the municipality; 56.0% (128) were male, and 62.80% (144) of cases were concentrated in the age group between 0 and 17 years old. The greatest magnitude of dengue transmission occurs in six (6) neighborhoods of the urban area, with 34.45% (72) of the reported cases, followed by 68 secondary neighborhoods, totaling 74 neighborhoods that contribute 65.55% (137) of the dengue cases in the municipality.

Conclusion: We addressed an epidemic outbreak of dengue reported since epidemiological week 03 of 2023, showing many dengue cases with warning signs. Vector control interventions should be considered in the six neighborhoods where most cases occur. Recommendations are given to the municipal entity for the continuity of actions.