Evaluation of Dengue Surveillance in the Guairá Department, Paraguay in 2024

Abstract

Introduction. Dengue is a highly prevalent and costly disease in Paraguay. Objective. To evaluate the dengue surveillance system in the department of Guairá in 2024. Materials and methods. Descriptive study evaluating dengue surveillance according to CDC guidelines. The structure and surveillance data were analyzed for the period 2019–2023, and a questionnaire was applied to the personnel involved in surveillance. Results. Between 2020-2023, 7,459 suspected cases were reported in the department of Guairá, with the highest number of reports in 2020 and 2023. According to the perception of 86.5% of respondents, the quality of the surveillance system was good, its usefulness was good for the diagnosis and recognition of epidemics for 72.6%, but decreased for vector control actions. Simplicity was considered good for the form and reporting flowchart, according to 68.5% of the respondents, and average for the dependence of reporting on the availability of diagnostic methods, according to 31.5% of the respondents; flexibility and acceptability were rated as good by 86.3% and 91.8%, respectively. Representativeness was rated as good in general by 78.1%, although 19.2% rated it as average for outpatient cases, subpopulations, or territories. Conclusion: To improve the dengue surveillance system in Guairá, staff should focus on the clinical and universal detection of suspected cases, regardless of severity or availability of diagnostic methods.