Two men died from co-infection with chikungunya and dengue fever in different cities in MS Mato Grosso do Sol

‘Aedes aegypti’ acts as a transmitter for dengue, chikungunya and Zika – PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/KHLUNGCENTER

Two men were killed by co-infection of dengue and chikungunya in Mato Grosso do Sul, according to an epidemiological bulletin issued by the state health ministry (SES) on Wednesday (24). The victims were infected with the viruses of the two diseases transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

According to the bulletin, the two victims were 70 and 43 years old. The men did not have any pre-existing diseases, according to the SES. The deaths were confirmed in the municipalities of Bella Vista, the border region with Paraguay, and Dourados.

According to infection doctor Priscilla Alexandrino, dengue may have been more aggressive towards the victims’ organisms. The doctor explained that co-infection can occur in two different ways.

“The victims could have been bitten by a mosquito infected with both viruses or they could have been bitten by two mosquitoes, one from each virus. The victims could have been infected at different times. The symptoms appeared at different times, due to the incubation period of the virus,” infection scientist Priscilla Alexandrino.

Chikungunya and dengue

Four years ago, Mato Grosso do Sul did not register deaths from chikungunya, with the latest casualties in 2018. According to the bulletin, the state has 4,724 probable cases, of which 863 are confirmed.

Even in the first semester, the year 2023 has already accumulated the largest number of chikungunya cases in Mato Grosso do Sul in the historical record series. In 2022 there were 608 possible cases, and this year the jump was 676%.

Regarding dengue fever, in 2023, 44,377 probable cases were reported. Of the total, 25,720 people have been confirmed to have the disease in Mato Grosso do Sul. This year, 26 people have died from the virus in the state.