The Municipal Health Department of Rio de Janeiro confirmed this Monday (27) the first death from dengue in the city. The victim is a 38-year-old man, resident of Campo Grande, in the west of the capital.
Between the 6th and 10th of January, the secretariat carried out the first Rapid Index Survey for Aedes aegypti (LIRAa) of 2025. More than 2 thousand health surveillance agents inspected more than 100 thousand properties to collect the samples, which were sent to the entomology laboratory. An improvement in the infestation rate was noted, which went from 0.79% in the same period in 2024 to 0.74% in 2025. The result is positive, indicating a reduction compared to the previous summer, in the department’s assessment.
In total, 102,316 properties underwent inspection throughout the city. Of the 247 strata worked, more than half (178) had a satisfactory Building Infestation Index – IIP (less than 1%); 64 in the alert range (from 1% to 3.9%) and only five in the risk classification (infestation above 3.9%). In three areas of the city, with neighborhoods covering the central region and the west zone, an alert situation was presented.
“Four times a year, health agents carry out the LIRAa to check the Aedes aegypti infestation rate. The objective of this monitoring is to identify the areas of greatest mosquito circulation and the most common types of deposits, allowing a more effective approach to controlling the infestation. With this, it is possible to direct prevention information and alert the population about where the source of stagnant water is, which is more dangerous and has a greater risk of mosquito proliferation”, explained the municipal secretary of Health, Daniel Soranz.
The most predominant outbreaks (29.8%) were found in mobile deposits such as vases/bottles with plants, drip pans, refrigerator defrosting containers, drinking fountains, small ornamental fountains, materials in construction deposits and religious objects.
The guideline to avoid the proliferation of mosquitoes in this type of container is to clean it weekly with a loofah or sponge, rubbing the walls of the container at least once a week. Another type of deposit also stood out, drains, whose recommended care is weekly cleaning, sealing or screening.
“It is essential that everyone gets involved in the fight against dengue. Although we have seen an improvement compared to last year, there are still areas of the city that require special attention. It is important to highlight that there are still regions that are in the alert and risk ranges. In view of this, I appeal to the population of Rio to continue taking all necessary precautions to prevent the Aedes aegypti mosquito. And I also once again call on parents and guardians to take their children aged 10 to 14 to health units to be vaccinated against dengue”, reinforced Soranz.
