Peru reports 86% decrease in dengue in 2025 – Outbreak News Today

Report on Dengue Fever Reduction in Peru and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

In 2025, the Republic of Peru has demonstrated significant progress in public health, directly contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Data from the Ministry of Health indicates a substantial reduction in both the incidence of and mortality from dengue fever compared to the previous year. This achievement underscores the effectiveness of national health strategies in combating communicable diseases and protecting vulnerable populations, aligning with global development targets.

Statistical Overview of Dengue Incidence (Year-to-Date 2025 vs. 2024)

• Total Cases: A year-to-date total of 37,592 cases were recorded in 2025, representing an 86% decrease from the 265,365 cases reported in the same period in 2024.
• Fatalities: A cumulative total of 54 deaths were recorded in 2025, a 79% decrease from the 254 deaths in the corresponding period of 2024.

Geographical Distribution of Cases

The highest incidence of dengue fever remains concentrated in specific departments. The distribution of cases is as follows:

1. San Martin: 11,232 cases
2. Loreto: 6,789 cases
3. Cajamarca: 6,330 cases
4. Amazonas: 1,856 cases

Contribution to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Peru’s success in controlling the dengue outbreak is a direct contribution to several targets within SDG 3.

• Target 3.3: The 86% reduction in cases marks substantial progress towards the goal to “end the epidemics of… communicable diseases” by 2030. Dengue, a vector-borne disease, is a key focus of this target.
• Target 3.d: The effective public health response demonstrates a strengthened national capacity for “early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.”

By mitigating the impact of dengue, Peru enhances the well-being of its citizens, reduces the burden on its healthcare system, and moves closer to ensuring healthy lives for all.

Public Health Profile of Dengue Fever

Transmission and Risk

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. The disease is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical climates, such as Peru’s northern coast and rainforest regions. Failure to receive timely and appropriate medical care can lead to severe complications, disability, or death.

Populations at Increased Risk (SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities)

Addressing dengue is crucial for reducing health inequalities, as the disease disproportionately affects vulnerable groups. Efforts to protect these populations are central to the principle of “leaving no one behind.” High-risk categories include:

• Pregnant women
• Children under one year of age
• Individuals aged 65 and over
• Persons with comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, obesity)

Clinical Manifestations and Management Protocols

Proper identification of symptoms is critical for effective case management and positive health outcomes.

Dengue without Warning Signs

• Symptoms: Fever lasting 2-7 days, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, rash, and nausea or vomiting.
• Management: Home care with adequate hydration, rest, fever control, and outpatient medical monitoring.

Dengue with Warning Signs

• Symptoms: Intense abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding from mucous membranes, drowsiness, or irritability.
• Management: Requires immediate intervention and strict monitoring in a hospital or a Clinical Surveillance Unit (UVICLIN).

Severe Dengue

• Symptoms: Respiratory distress, severe bleeding, and serious organ complications.
• Management: Requires hospitalization and intensive care in an ICU setting.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The primary Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) addressed in the article is:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. This goal aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The article directly addresses this by focusing on dengue fever, a significant public health issue. It discusses the incidence of the disease, mortality rates, symptoms, and at-risk populations, all of which are central to the concerns of SDG 3. The report of a significant decrease in cases and deaths in Peru signifies progress towards achieving better health outcomes.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s focus on combating a communicable disease, the following specific targets under SDG 3 can be identified:

1. Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
   • Explanation: Dengue is a mosquito-borne communicable disease, often categorized as a neglected tropical disease. The article’s entire focus is on the status of the dengue epidemic in Peru. The data showing an “86 percent decrease in dengue fever” and a “79 percent decrease in fatalities” directly relates to the effort of ending or controlling the epidemic of a communicable disease, as stipulated in this target.
2. Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
   • Explanation: The article is based on a report from “The Peru Ministry of Health.” The existence of this report, which tracks and compares case numbers and fatalities year-over-year, implies a national health surveillance system. This system is a critical component for managing national health risks like dengue outbreaks. By monitoring the disease’s prevalence (“The department of San Martin has reported the most cases”), the health authority demonstrates its capacity for risk management, which is the core of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article explicitly provides quantitative data that serve as direct indicators for measuring progress towards the identified targets.

• Indicator for Target 3.3: Incidence of Dengue Fever.
  • Explanation: The article provides precise numbers on the incidence of the disease: “37,592 total cases year to date, down from 265,365 cases in 2024.” This number of cases is a direct measure of the burden of a communicable disease. A reduction in incidence is a key indicator of progress in ending an epidemic.
• Indicator for Target 3.3: Mortality Rate from Dengue Fever.
  • Explanation: The article also provides specific data on fatalities: “54 cumulative deaths this year compared to 254 in 2024.” The number of deaths caused by a specific communicable disease is a critical indicator of the effectiveness of public health interventions and clinical management, directly measuring progress towards the goal of ending epidemics.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: outbreaknewstoday.substack.com