Rising dengue cases are driving sales of insect repellents

Brazil is facing an alarming rise in dengue cases, exceeding half a million possible cases. In Rio Grande do Sul, there are already 3,193 confirmed cases, with 466 municipalities affected by the invasion of the mosquito vector. The capital has already recorded 51 cases of the disease.

This increase has prompted a search for preventive measures, which was reflected in the significant increase in sales of insect repellents, said Bruna Demiroff, an employee of the Banvel pharmacy chain. Since the beginning of the month, sales of insect repellents have increased by up to 80%, with a focus on products intended for children's use.

The demand was so great that the stock had to be revalued to meet the increased demand. Bruna also highlights the increased demand for the dengue vaccine, with an average of four people per day searching for information about the vaccine.

“A few weeks ago, the demand for insect repellents started increasing. It was something that did not have a very high production. People are realizing what is happening and are coming forward to take precautions. Earlier it was more when a person travels, but now it is for daily use in the city.

This trend is confirmed by Denis Falcao, financial operator of the São João pharmacy chain, who reported an increase of about 30% in demand for both repellents and vaccines since the beginning of the month. She highlights that there is an increasing demand for collections containing products for adults and children.

Look for insect repellents after dengue cases increase
| Photo: Guilherme Almeida

The report, prepared by Professor Andrea Pereira, based in Santo Angelo, reinforces the perception of the need for protection. She was in a pharmacy in the central area of ​​Porto Alegre and reported that she noticed a significant increase in the presence of mosquitoes and therefore adopted the daily use of repellents as a preventive measure.

“I felt the mosquito population increasing. I wasn't used to using repellents a lot, but now it's unavoidable. You have to use it practically every day.”

Dengue fever cases in Porto Alegre

Of the 51 cases recorded in the capital, 31 were contracted in the city (local cases), 13 were imported cases (infection outside the city), and seven cases had no specific place of infection.

The cases are distributed among 29 neighbourhoods: Auxiliadora, Azenha, Bella Vista, Bom Femme, Centro Historico, Cristal, Guaruja, Higuenopolis, Hibica, Jardim Lindoya, Lami, Lomba do Pinheiro, Mario Quintana, Morro Santana, Medianeira, Parque Santa Fe, Partenon, Passo da Areia, Petrópolis, Ponta Grossa, Restinga, Rubim Berta, São João, São José, Santa Teresa, Sarandë, Tristeza, Vila Ipiranga and Vila Nova.

vaccination

According to the schedule set by the Ministry of Health, the state of Rio Grande do Sul has been excluded from the first phase of dengue vaccination this year. Gauchos will only have access to the vaccine, with high protection against the disease and against serious cases requiring hospitalization, in the private network. Prices for doses of the dengue vaccine range from R$390 to R$490, and to complete the vaccination schedule, two doses are required.