Brazil MOH expands priority actions to combat dengue fever in cities across the country

The new actions to combat dengue fever will prioritize 312 municipalities with high transmission of the disease or a rising number of cases. With the expansion, the Ministry of Health continues to strengthen support to states and municipalities to reduce serious cases and deaths. The teams of the National SUS Force are prepared to serve the cities and support the organization of assistance, with the capacity to install up to 150 hydration centers. In this context, there is also the new guide that allows nurses to indicate tests and medications in emergencies, ensuring assistance in the shortest time.

The 312 priority municipalities are divided into 21 states, in addition to the Federal District, covering all regions of the country. Of the total, 114 are from São Paulo, 42 from Minas Gerais and 28 from Paraná. As of epidemiological week 14 (04/05), 73% of dengue cases in Brazil were concentrated in São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Paraná, with 86% of deaths. Considering that the dengue transmission process is very dynamic, this list will be constantly reviewed to include more cities, if necessary.

In 2025, up to April 19, Brazil recorded a 75% drop in the number of cases and an 83% drop in deaths from dengue fever when compared to the same period in the previous year.

So far, there have been 1.07 million cases in 2025, compared to more than 4 million in the same period last year. As for deaths, there are 742 confirmed compared to approximately 3.8 thousand recorded in the same period last year. The reduction is the result of actions coordinated by the Ministry of Health, in partnership with states and municipalities, and the mobilization of the population.

In light of this scenario, the Ministry of Health is stepping up its surveillance, diagnosis and assistance efforts. “We have distributed six million rapid tests, in addition to supplies for laboratory diagnosis and vector control. More than 650,000 laboratory tests have already been performed by the LACENs, which are state laboratories supported by the ministry. And where necessary, the National SUS Force will be called upon,” explains the secretary of health and environmental surveillance, Mariângela Simão.

With the intensification of actions, FN-SUS began training and reorientation of the healthcare network in Viamão (RS) and Marília (SP) to support the operation of health units and enable adequate care for patients with dengue. In total, the team provided more than 3,600 services in São José do Rio Preto (SP) , the city with the highest number of cases of the disease. Santarém (PA), Amapá, Macapá and Santana (AP), Porto Velho (RO), Rio Branco (AC), Cuiabá and Várzea Grande (MT) and Breves (PA) also received missions.

To make the range of measures for controlling arboviruses viable , such as sending insecticides, rapid and laboratory tests, 100% of the demands made by states and municipalities were met.