Ana Clara Silva, vice-president of IASUADE confirms that Madeira and Porto Santo participate in a national vector monitoring programme REVIVE, which have indicated 50% less mosquito activity in 2014 compared to 2012.

Eradication of the mosquito is unlikely. Locals and visitors must learn to live with the mosquito, as in other destinations such as Greece or Madrid in Spain where 38 cases of imported Chinkunguya virus infections were declared and are transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, which is settling not only in tropical destinations.

Prevention is still the key action, both in the reduction of breeding grounds, especial water ways, as well as wearing light coloured, long sleeve clothes and mosquito repellent to prevent being bitten.


Lastly, travellers visiting known Dengue or Chinkunguya outbreak regions, such as Brazil, should  adhere to recommendations to prevent being bitten and/or infected by the Aedes mosquito. Those returning from Dengue outbreak regions and have any symptoms of Dengue within 2-3 weeks after returning, should contact their doctor ... as they could cause an outbreak in regions with Aedes mosquito.

Source "Mosquitos de regresso, Aedes aegypti já estão em maior actividade. Iasaude recomenda cuidados" in DN Noticias Madeira 2014-07-23

In the weekly update on 12 December 2012 regarding Dengue Fever outbreak in Madeira since 3 October  2012, the National Health Authorities reported 2050 cases of dengue fever, as follows:

• total number of confirmed cases 2050

         57 new cases in week 49 (03 - 09 December 2012) on previous week,  a 44% retraction in new cases

• total cumulated hospitalized cases 121
  
• number of patients currently hospitalized 2
• Number of cases reported by non-resident citizens with recent stay in Madeira: 52

NOTE:
ECDC report of 13 December 2012 (see below for link) identifies 58 exported cases until 12 December 2012

The prevention recommendations remain in place as well as actions to reduce local transmission and export of the Aedes aegypti mosquito vector.

The ECDC in is weekly "Communicable Disease Threats report", Week 49, 2-8 December 2012 reconfirmed there are no trade or travel restrictions to and from Madeira.

Source: 
Comunicado do Diretor-Geral da Saúde sobre casos de dengue na Região Autónoma da Madeira "DGS"
ECDC  weekly "Communicable Disease Threats report", Week 49, 2-8 December 2012
ECDC "Epidemiological update: Outbreak of dengue in Madeira, Portugal" 13 December 2012
Analysis: ZINO - Consultadoria

In the weekly update on 5 December 2012 regarding dengue fever outbreak in Madeira since 3 October  2012, the National Health Authorities reported 1993 cases of dengue fever, as follows:

• total number of confirmed cases 1993

         102 new cases since previous week, showing a 54% retraction in new cases

• total cumulated hospitalized cases 118
  
• number of patients currently hospitalized 2
• Number of cases reported by citizens with recent stay in Madeira: 42

The prevention recommendations remain in place as well as actions to reduce local transmission and export of the Aedes aegypti mosquito vector.

Source: Comunicado do Diretor-Geral da Saúde sobre casos de dengue na Região Autónoma da Madeira "DGS"
Analysis: ZINO - Consultadoria

in DN Madeira 30-11-2012

Gestão integrada envolve autarquias e serviços de quatro secretarias regionais:

• Assuntos Socias - 
  
• Ambiente - 
  
• Turismo - 
  
• Educação
  

A equipa, liderada pela presidente do IASAUDE -  Ana Nunes, o director regional de Agricultura - Engº Bernardo Araújo e o directo regional do Ambiente, João Correia

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control have released an update regarding the dengue fever outbreak in Madeira, dated 20 November 2012.

A summary of the report and the report itself can be consulted here: report


Main conclusions:

• This is the first sustained transmission of dengue in the European Union since the 1920s. Autochthonous transmission is likely to continue until the end of the year when mosquito density will probably decrease.
  
• The epidemiological situation does not imply any trade or travel restriction beyond the disinfestations currently being implemented. 
  
• As the influenza transmission season will commence around the end of the year, concomitant actions for monitoring dengue and influenza are being launched in Madeira.
  
• Aircraft disinfection and control of vector mosquitoes at ports and airports in Madeira should be continued.
  
• Protective measures to avoid mosquito bites is still a key recommendation

Almost all reported cases relate to the resident population and most municipalities of Madeira have reported at least one case of dengue infection among their residents. So far twenty-five visitors to Madeira have been diagnosed with dengue since returning to mainland Portugal (nine), United Kingdom (six), Germany (seven), Sweden (one) and France (two).

Local news paper and TV station have confirmed that Madeira Regional Health Authorities have started fogging public spaces in an integrated action to reduce the Aedes aegypti mosquito population, vector of Dengue virus.

Prevention including the elimination of breeding areas and prevention from getting bitten are still the key actions which all the population must participate to reduce the mosquito population, especially as with the slight decrease in temperature, the mosquito will search for warmer environments including homes.

In the weekly update, the regional health authorities reported the following on 17 October 2012:

• total probable number of cases 262
  
• total cumulated cases confirmed 37
• number of patients currently hospitalized 6
• total cumulated cases hospitalised 30

Maintain strong emphasis on prevention form being bitten by Mosquito. Use long sleeves, light coloured clothes, trousers, socks and closed shoes at the mosquito´s most active period (sunrise  and sunset) and repellents containing DEET, as well as reducing and eliminating breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito,  vector of the Dengue fever.

Source: Comunicado IASAÚDE, IP-RAM - 17-10-2012 "Instituto de Administração da Saúde e Assuntos Sociais, IP-RAM"

A 3 Outubro 2012, foram notificados dois casos  autóctones de febre do dengue na Ilha da Madeira.

A data de 10 Outubro 2012:

• foram confirmados 18 casos de dengue DEN-1
  
• aguardam confirmação laboratorial 191 casos (totais prováveis)
• foram hospitalizados, cumulativamente, 26 doentes desde o inicio do surto
• neste momento estão hospitalizados 11 doentes

Fonte: Comunicado C46.03.01 de 10/10/2012 da "Direcção Geral de Saúde", elaborado em conjunto com o "Instituto de Administração da Saúde e Assuntos Sociais, IP-RAM"