Seis cidades da Bahia estão em epidemia de dengue, diz Sesab – G1

Six Cities in Bahia Declare Dengue Epidemics Despite Overall Decline in State Cases

Public health officials in Bahia, Brazil, have identified six municipalities currently experiencing dengue epidemics, signaling localized surges in transmission that require urgent intervention. According to data released by the State Health Secretariat (Sesab) on May 11, 2026, the cities under epidemic status are Alagoinhas, Campo Alegre de Lourdes, Maraú, Remanso, Santa Maria da Vitória, and Uauá.

The classification of an “epidemic” in these areas indicates that the rate of virus transmission has exceeded expected levels. Rafael Gomes, a technician with the state’s epidemiological surveillance, explained that this designation is used when the spread of the disease surpasses forecasted thresholds. This localized volatility highlights the persistent challenge of managing mosquito-borne illnesses, even when broader regional trends appear positive.

Across the wider state of Bahia, the overall numbers show a significant improvement compared to the previous year. In 2026, the state has seen a 41% reduction in probable dengue cases. As of May 11, 2026, authorities reported 10,162 cases and four deaths, a notable decrease from the 17,236 cases and five deaths recorded during the same period in 2025.

Despite the statewide decline, health officials remain vigilant as many other municipalities face varying levels of risk. Nine cities—Araci, Aramari, Aratuípe, Buritirama, Casa Nova, Curaçá, Itiúba, Mucugê, and Teodoro Sampaio—are currently classified as being in a “risk” situation, while another 49 municipalities remain on high alert.

Marcos Sampaio, President of the State Health Council (CES), emphasized that the current downward trend in numbers should not lead to complacency. “The scenario was much more worrying last year, but dengue always requires care,” Sampaio noted, adding that while numbers are lower than in 2025, increased caution is still necessary.

Emergency Measures in Alagoinhas

The city of Alagoinhas has taken aggressive steps to combat a spike in arboviruses. On May 4, 2026, the municipal government officially declared a public health emergency. Between January 1 and April 29, 2026, the city recorded 1,374 suspected cases of diseases transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Data from the first 16 weeks of the year reveal a diverse burden of mosquito-borne illnesses in the city, with 65 confirmed cases of dengue, 129 cases of chikungunya, and four cases of zika. Epidemiological surveillance has identified the Centro, Teresópolis, and Jardim Petrolar neighborhoods as the areas with the highest concentration of notifications.

In response to the outbreak, the Alagoinhas municipal government has maintained a rigorous schedule of insecticide spraying via “fogging trucks” (carros fumacê) across affected neighborhoods to reduce the mosquito population. These localized efforts underscore the necessity of targeted municipal action to prevent broader regional outbreaks.