Dengue Prevention Campaign Across 7 Provinces -- 945 Cases in Early 2026

Dengue is surging in Ecuador, and the government is racing to contain it before the rainy season peaks.

The Ministry of Public Health (MSP) has launched a nationwide dengue prevention campaign targeting 1,500 critical sectors across seven provinces. As of early 2026, Ecuador has recorded 945 confirmed dengue cases, with the number expected to rise as the rainy season continues through May.

Where the Cases Are

The provinces with the highest dengue incidence:

• Sucumbios -- the Amazon border province with hot, humid conditions ideal for mosquito breeding
• Guayas -- Ecuador's most populous coastal province, including Guayaquil
• Esmeraldas -- tropical coastal province with limited public health infrastructure
• Pichincha -- primarily in the lower-altitude, warmer zones around Santo Domingo and the western slopes

Other affected provinces receiving interventions include areas along the coast and in the Amazon lowlands where the Aedes aegypti mosquito -- the primary dengue vector -- thrives in tropical conditions.

The Government Response

The MSP's campaign involves:

• Fumigation in residential neighborhoods, schools, and public spaces in the 1,500 identified critical sectors
• Standing water elimination -- teams going house to house to identify and destroy mosquito breeding sites (old tires, uncovered water tanks, flower pot saucers, clogged gutters)
• Public education campaigns on prevention measures
• Enhanced surveillance at health centers and hospitals to identify and treat cases early
• Larvicide distribution in high-risk areas

Understanding Dengue

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes:

• High fever (40C/104F)
• Severe headache and pain behind the eyes
• Muscle and joint pain (dengue is sometimes called "breakbone fever")
• Nausea and vomiting
• Skin rash appearing 2-5 days after fever onset

Most cases resolve in 1-2 weeks with rest and hydration. However, a small percentage develop severe dengue (dengue hemorrhagic fever), which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Warning signs include severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums, and rapid breathing.

There are four dengue serotypes. Infection with one provides immunity to that type but increases the risk of severe disease if infected by a different serotype later. This means repeat infections are more dangerous, not less.

Ecuador's Dengue Pattern

Dengue follows a seasonal pattern in Ecuador tied to rainfall and temperature:

• Peak season: January through May (rainy season on the coast and in the Amazon)
• Higher risk areas: Coastal lowlands (Guayas, Esmeraldas, Manabi, El Oro), Amazon basin (Sucumbios, Orellana, Napo), and lower-altitude highland valleys
• Lower risk areas: Highland cities above 2,000 meters (Quito, Cuenca, Ambato, Riobamba) -- the Aedes aegypti mosquito generally does not survive at these altitudes, though climate change is slowly expanding its range upward

Ecuador typically records 2,000-5,000 dengue cases annually, with periodic outbreak years reaching higher numbers. The 945 cases reported by early April suggest 2026 is tracking toward an average-to-above-average year.

What This Means for Expats

• Highland expats have low risk but should not be complacent. If you live in Cuenca (2,500m), Quito (2,800m), or other highland cities, dengue transmission is extremely rare at your altitude. However, if you travel to the coast, Amazon, or lower valleys, your risk increases significantly
• Coastal and Amazon expats should take active precautions:
  • Use DEET-based insect repellent (at least 25% concentration) on exposed skin, especially during dawn and dusk when Aedes mosquitoes are most active
  • Wear long sleeves and pants when possible
  • Sleep under a mosquito net if your home is not well-screened
  • Eliminate standing water around your property -- even a bottle cap of water can breed mosquitoes
  • Use screens on windows and doors
• Know the symptoms. If you develop sudden high fever, severe headache, and body aches after visiting a coastal or Amazon area, seek medical attention and mention possible dengue exposure
• Stay hydrated if infected. Dengue treatment is supportive -- rest, fluids, and acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen as they increase bleeding risk
• If you develop severe symptoms (severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, difficulty breathing), go to the emergency room immediately. Severe dengue requires IV fluids and monitoring

Emergency contacts:

• ECU 911 -- national emergency line
• MSP health information: www.salud.gob.ec

Source: Primicias