:: Check out the special coverage
A panel on arboviruses opened the program for May 23. Photo: Henrique Nobre
The third day of activities (22) of the 'Jubilee Symposium IOC 125 years', was dedicated to discussing a relevant public health problem that seasonally affects our country: arboviruses.
Studying and combating this group of viral diseases transmitted mainly by mosquitoes is part of the origins of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz).
In 1903, Oswaldo Cruz played a key role in the fight against yellow fever in Rio de Janeiro. He implemented a program to combat the disease that involved cleaning the city, controlling insects and vaccinating.
Since then, the protagonism of scientists from IOC in the area has been highlighted nationally and internationally.
Starting the program, the round table “Situation of arboviruses in Brazil” took a real tour of the F’s performanceiocruz and the Institute in dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever and Oropouche virus.
The guests were: Rivaldo Venâncio, Chief of Staff of the Presidency of the Fiocruz; Tania Fonseca, from the Coordination of Health Surveillance and Reference Laboratories of the Fiocruz; and Felipe Naveca and Ana Bispo, respectively head and deputy head of the Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Virus Laboratory of IOC. The moderation was in charge of Patrícia Carvalho de Sequeira, from the same Laboratory.
Addressing the topics of chikungunya and dengue, the first lecture was given by Rivaldo Venâncio.
Dating back to April 2014, the specialist recalled that in an opinion article he wrote, he warned of the imminent danger of the arrival of ckikungunya in Brazil, given the circulation of the virus in the Americas.
Rivaldo Venâncio recalled that, in a short time, chikungunya spread throughout the country. Photo: Henrique Nobre
Soon enough, it was said and done. The first cases began to be detected in September of that year in Feira de Santana, Bahia.
In 2017, Rivaldo and other researchers published a study that highlighted some clinical aspects of the disease, such as damage to the joints, vision, heart and even fatal cases.
“Data from the Ministry of Health shows that Brazil has almost 92 probable cases of chikungunya, with 78 deaths, between 2023 and 2025. These numbers show that the fatality rate is high. We need to be aware of this,” he said.
Dengue fever, an old acquaintance of Brazilians, whose first detection was reported in 1870, the number of cases exceeds the 1.300.000 mark in the same period, with 985 deaths.
“We cannot accept this lethality from dengue, a disease that we have been living with for over 40 years without interruption. We need to look at these numbers and not accept any death from dengue as natural,” he stressed.
Next, virologist Felipe Naveca addressed the Oropouche virus, detected in Brazil in the 1960s. But it was only recently, starting in 2022, that the virus began to attract the attention of national authorities.
“After an increase in cases in Roraima, the pathogen began to spread throughout the North, Northeast and the rest of the country,” he said.
Naveca then began to dedicate efforts to decentralizing the laboratory identification protocol for the virus. Until then, the method was carried out at the Leonidas and Maria Deane Institute (Fiocruz Manaus), where the virologist works as coordinator of the Surveillance Center for Emerging, Reemerging or Neglected Viruses.
Felipe Naveca has dedicated his efforts to developing studies on oropouche. Photo: Henrique Nobre
“When we started carrying out tests with the Central Public Health Laboratories [LACENs] in the North region, we detected that what was thought to be dengue fever was actually Oropouche infections,” he recalled.
Among several findings that have helped to answer this public health problem, Naveca and his team identified a new lineage circulating in the country and published a study that confirms the possibility of vertical transmission of the pathogen.
“The constant threat of an ancient enemy” was the theme of the lecture by researcher Ana Bispo, who addressed yellow fever.
An acute febrile infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes in urban and wild areas, the disease had its first epidemic described in Brazil in 1685, in Recife.
“Despite a centuries-old history and an effective vaccine available, developed in the 1930s, the disease still causes periodic outbreaks in the national territory,” he commented.
Ana Bispo has recognized expertise in arboviruses. Photo: Henrique Nobre
Ana recalled that between 2016 and 2018, Brazil experienced a large-scale epidemic, with more than 2.000 confirmed cases and 600 deaths.
“At that time, to reduce the number of deaths, the country chose to administer fractional doses of the vaccine, which proved to be highly effective,” he recalled.
In 2025, a new outbreak hit the states of Pará, with 44 cases, São Paulo (57), Minas Gerais (11) and Tocantins (1).
Regarding virological surveillance strategies, Ana highlighted the main objectives of maintaining the eradication of the urban form of the disease, as well as keeping the wild version under control.
“It is extremely important to detect viral circulation in a timely manner to guide prevention and control measures,” he stressed.
The virologist reinforced the effectiveness of immunization against the disease, which currently has vaccination coverage below the recommended rate in several areas, and drew attention to the real risk of urbanization of yellow fever, given that the virus can be transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is widely spread throughout the country.
Tania Fonseca made a historical survey of the F's performanceiocruz in the fight against arboviruses, which dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, with Oswaldo Cruz acting to overcome yellow fever.
The coordinator explained that the Foundation has been working hard on modeling and data analysis to predict information about the possibility of emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne diseases.
The coordinator cited as highlights Infodengue, the Center for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health (CIDACS), the Wildlife Health Information System (SISS-Geo), the Climate and Health Observatory and the Early Warning System for Infectious Outbreaks (Aesop)
Regarding the diagnosis, Tania stressed that Fiocruz is prepared to contribute to the Ministry of Health. It currently has 52 Reference Laboratories, 5 Biosafety Level 3 (NB3) Laboratories and 1 Animal Biosafety Level (NBA3) Laboratories, spread across all of the Foundation's units throughout the country.
Tania Fonseca addressed the areas of activity of Fiocruz in the fight against arboviruses. Photo: Henrique Nobre
Regarding vector control, the specialist highlighted the training capacity of F researchersiocruz, emphasizing the concept “10 minutes against Aedes”, the Larvicide Dissemination Station and the Wolbachia method.
In the field of education, Fonseca highlighted the importance of the Virtual Campus Fiocruz, in providing courses and training in arboviruses, as well as the development of games.
Tania also addressed the significant contribution in clinical care provided to society. She also commented on the various diagnostic tests and vaccines and the scientific studies conducted by researchers and students at the House.
"The population looks for the F pageiocruz for information. Therefore, I also highlight here the role of communication and information in the fight against arboviruses”, he commented, adding that the Foundation has important initiatives that help society in the search for reliable and quality information.
Closing the third day's program, important products were launched that can contribute to the control of arboviruses and expand knowledge about the biological aspects of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
This panel was mediated by researcher Dinair Couto, from the Laboratory of Hematozoan-Transmitting Mosquitoes at IOC.
Health authorities and professionals working to control arboviruses, a group of diseases transmitted mainly by mosquitoes, now have new products that can contribute to the construction of more assertive public policies and more precise surveillance actions.
The ArboAlvo Project, which aims to stratify priority areas for the surveillance of diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti in Brazil, has just developed a series of materials and actions that will soon be available online and free of charge. They are:
Update course on innovative methods for stratifying priority areas for arboviruses;
ArboAlvo Manual, which brings together the methodologies used in the Program;
Arbovirus Panel;
Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs);
ArboAlvo Atlas.
Funded by the Ministry of Health, the project is coordinated by researcher Nildimar Honório, from the Virus-Host Interactions Laboratory of IOC, and has a partnership with the Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health (Ensp/Fiocruz), Institute of Communication and Scientific and Technological Information in Health (ICICT/Fiocruz) and Joaquim Venâncio Polytechnic School of Health (EPSJV/Fiocruz).
Subsequently, two documentaries were released about the life cycle of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
Much is known about the habits and biological cycle of these mosquitoes. However, little of this information reaches society and, in order to control the reproduction of the vector, it is necessary to know.
The production has cinematic quality and addresses relevant scientific information, acquired through extensive bibliographical research and the collaboration of experts from Fiocroz.
Videos are available in Portuguese, English, Spanish and libras.
The films are directed by Genilton Vieira and written by Ricardo Lourenço and Genilton Vieira.
The book 'Antimicrobial-resistant Superbugs' was also another product launched during the celebrations for the 125th anniversary of IOC.
Organized by researchers Letícia Lery Santos, Ana Paula Assef and Viviane Zahner, the work is the result of vacation courses taught by postgraduate students at the Institute.
The book can be accessed free of charge using this link.
Bacteria resistant to multiple antimicrobials, known as superbugs, already cause more than one million deaths per year, a number that could reach 8,2 million by 2050.
Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) coordinates a Global Action Plan against antimicrobial resistance, mobilizing governments and institutions around five strategic objectives.
:: Check out the special coverage
A panel on arboviruses opened the program for May 23. Photo: Henrique Nobre
The third day of activities (22) of the 'Jubilee Symposium IOC 125 years', was dedicated to discussing a relevant public health problem that seasonally affects our country: arboviruses.
Studying and combating this group of viral diseases transmitted mainly by mosquitoes is part of the origins of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz).
In 1903, Oswaldo Cruz played a key role in the fight against yellow fever in Rio de Janeiro. He implemented a program to combat the disease that involved cleaning the city, controlling insects and vaccinating.
Since then, the protagonism of scientists from IOC in the area has been highlighted nationally and internationally.
Starting the program, the round table “Situation of arboviruses in Brazil” took a real tour of the F’s performanceiocruz and the Institute in dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever and Oropouche virus.
The guests were: Rivaldo Venâncio, Chief of Staff of the Presidency of the Fiocruz; Tania Fonseca, from the Coordination of Health Surveillance and Reference Laboratories of the Fiocruz; and Felipe Naveca and Ana Bispo, respectively head and deputy head of the Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Virus Laboratory of IOC. The moderation was in charge of Patrícia Carvalho de Sequeira, from the same Laboratory.
Addressing the topics of chikungunya and dengue, the first lecture was given by Rivaldo Venâncio.
Dating back to April 2014, the specialist recalled that in an opinion article he wrote, he warned of the imminent danger of the arrival of ckikungunya in Brazil, given the circulation of the virus in the Americas.
Rivaldo Venâncio recalled that, in a short time, chikungunya spread throughout the country. Photo: Henrique Nobre
Soon enough, it was said and done. The first cases began to be detected in September of that year in Feira de Santana, Bahia.
In 2017, Rivaldo and other researchers published a study that highlighted some clinical aspects of the disease, such as damage to the joints, vision, heart and even fatal cases.
“Data from the Ministry of Health shows that Brazil has almost 92 probable cases of chikungunya, with 78 deaths, between 2023 and 2025. These numbers show that the fatality rate is high. We need to be aware of this,” he said.
Dengue fever, an old acquaintance of Brazilians, whose first detection was reported in 1870, the number of cases exceeds the 1.300.000 mark in the same period, with 985 deaths.
“We cannot accept this lethality from dengue, a disease that we have been living with for over 40 years without interruption. We need to look at these numbers and not accept any death from dengue as natural,” he stressed.
Next, virologist Felipe Naveca addressed the Oropouche virus, detected in Brazil in the 1960s. But it was only recently, starting in 2022, that the virus began to attract the attention of national authorities.
“After an increase in cases in Roraima, the pathogen began to spread throughout the North, Northeast and the rest of the country,” he said.
Naveca then began to dedicate efforts to decentralizing the laboratory identification protocol for the virus. Until then, the method was carried out at the Leonidas and Maria Deane Institute (Fiocruz Manaus), where the virologist works as coordinator of the Surveillance Center for Emerging, Reemerging or Neglected Viruses.
Felipe Naveca has dedicated his efforts to developing studies on oropouche. Photo: Henrique Nobre
“When we started carrying out tests with the Central Public Health Laboratories [LACENs] in the North region, we detected that what was thought to be dengue fever was actually Oropouche infections,” he recalled.
Among several findings that have helped to answer this public health problem, Naveca and his team identified a new lineage circulating in the country and published a study that confirms the possibility of vertical transmission of the pathogen.
“The constant threat of an ancient enemy” was the theme of the lecture by researcher Ana Bispo, who addressed yellow fever.
An acute febrile infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes in urban and wild areas, the disease had its first epidemic described in Brazil in 1685, in Recife.
“Despite a centuries-old history and an effective vaccine available, developed in the 1930s, the disease still causes periodic outbreaks in the national territory,” he commented.
Ana Bispo has recognized expertise in arboviruses. Photo: Henrique Nobre
Ana recalled that between 2016 and 2018, Brazil experienced a large-scale epidemic, with more than 2.000 confirmed cases and 600 deaths.
“At that time, to reduce the number of deaths, the country chose to administer fractional doses of the vaccine, which proved to be highly effective,” he recalled.
In 2025, a new outbreak hit the states of Pará, with 44 cases, São Paulo (57), Minas Gerais (11) and Tocantins (1).
Regarding virological surveillance strategies, Ana highlighted the main objectives of maintaining the eradication of the urban form of the disease, as well as keeping the wild version under control.
“It is extremely important to detect viral circulation in a timely manner to guide prevention and control measures,” he stressed.
The virologist reinforced the effectiveness of immunization against the disease, which currently has vaccination coverage below the recommended rate in several areas, and drew attention to the real risk of urbanization of yellow fever, given that the virus can be transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is widely spread throughout the country.
Tania Fonseca made a historical survey of the F's performanceiocruz in the fight against arboviruses, which dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, with Oswaldo Cruz acting to overcome yellow fever.
The coordinator explained that the Foundation has been working hard on modeling and data analysis to predict information about the possibility of emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne diseases.
The coordinator cited as highlights Infodengue, the Center for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health (CIDACS), the Wildlife Health Information System (SISS-Geo), the Climate and Health Observatory and the Early Warning System for Infectious Outbreaks (Aesop)
Regarding the diagnosis, Tania stressed that Fiocruz is prepared to contribute to the Ministry of Health. It currently has 52 Reference Laboratories, 5 Biosafety Level 3 (NB3) Laboratories and 1 Animal Biosafety Level (NBA3) Laboratories, spread across all of the Foundation's units throughout the country.
Tania Fonseca addressed the areas of activity of Fiocruz in the fight against arboviruses. Photo: Henrique Nobre
Regarding vector control, the specialist highlighted the training capacity of F researchersiocruz, emphasizing the concept “10 minutes against Aedes”, the Larvicide Dissemination Station and the Wolbachia method.
In the field of education, Fonseca highlighted the importance of the Virtual Campus Fiocruz, in providing courses and training in arboviruses, as well as the development of games.
Tania also addressed the significant contribution in clinical care provided to society. She also commented on the various diagnostic tests and vaccines and the scientific studies conducted by researchers and students at the House.
"The population looks for the F pageiocruz for information. Therefore, I also highlight here the role of communication and information in the fight against arboviruses”, he commented, adding that the Foundation has important initiatives that help society in the search for reliable and quality information.
Closing the third day's program, important products were launched that can contribute to the control of arboviruses and expand knowledge about the biological aspects of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
This panel was mediated by researcher Dinair Couto, from the Laboratory of Hematozoan-Transmitting Mosquitoes at IOC.
Health authorities and professionals working to control arboviruses, a group of diseases transmitted mainly by mosquitoes, now have new products that can contribute to the construction of more assertive public policies and more precise surveillance actions.
The ArboAlvo Project, which aims to stratify priority areas for the surveillance of diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti in Brazil, has just developed a series of materials and actions that will soon be available online and free of charge. They are:
Update course on innovative methods for stratifying priority areas for arboviruses;
ArboAlvo Manual, which brings together the methodologies used in the Program;
Arbovirus Panel;
Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs);
ArboAlvo Atlas.
Funded by the Ministry of Health, the project is coordinated by researcher Nildimar Honório, from the Virus-Host Interactions Laboratory of IOC, and has a partnership with the Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health (Ensp/Fiocruz), Institute of Communication and Scientific and Technological Information in Health (ICICT/Fiocruz) and Joaquim Venâncio Polytechnic School of Health (EPSJV/Fiocruz).
Subsequently, two documentaries were released about the life cycle of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
Much is known about the habits and biological cycle of these mosquitoes. However, little of this information reaches society and, in order to control the reproduction of the vector, it is necessary to know.
The production has cinematic quality and addresses relevant scientific information, acquired through extensive bibliographical research and the collaboration of experts from Fiocroz.
Videos are available in Portuguese, English, Spanish and libras.
The films are directed by Genilton Vieira and written by Ricardo Lourenço and Genilton Vieira.
The book 'Antimicrobial-resistant Superbugs' was also another product launched during the celebrations for the 125th anniversary of IOC.
Organized by researchers Letícia Lery Santos, Ana Paula Assef and Viviane Zahner, the work is the result of vacation courses taught by postgraduate students at the Institute.
The book can be accessed free of charge using this link.
Bacteria resistant to multiple antimicrobials, known as superbugs, already cause more than one million deaths per year, a number that could reach 8,2 million by 2050.
Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) coordinates a Global Action Plan against antimicrobial resistance, mobilizing governments and institutions around five strategic objectives.
The non-profit reproduction of the text is allowed as long as the source is cited (Comunicação / Instituto Oswaldo Cruz)
 |
 |
