Government Activates National Dengue Prevention Plan Targeting 1,532 High-Risk Sectors in Seven Provinces

Vice President María José Pinto officially launched the 2026 National Dengue Plan and Gran Minga Comunitaria — a coordinated prevention campaign targeting the provinces most vulnerable to dengue outbreaks as Ecuador enters its rainy season.

The Scope

The plan targets 1,532 critical sectors — specific neighbourhoods and communities — across seven provinces:

| Province | Region | Key Cities | |---|---|---| | Guayas | Coast | Guayaquil, Durán, Daule | | Manabí | Coast | Manta, Portoviejo, Chone | | El Oro | Coast | Machala, Pasaje | | Santa Elena | Coast | Santa Elena, La Libertad, Salinas | | Esmeraldas | Coast | Esmeraldas, Atacames, Quinindé | | Napo | Amazon | Tena, Archidona | | Pastaza | Amazon | Puyo |

These 1,532 sectors represent just 2% of Ecuador's territory but accounted for 40% of all dengue cases in 2025.

The Six-Pronged Strategy

The plan integrates six operational lines:

1. Vector monitoring: Tracking mosquito populations and breeding sites
2. Case surveillance: Rapid reporting of suspected cases through the public health network
3. Physical and chemical control: Fumigation and destruction of standing water breeding sites
4. Community mobilization: The "Gran Minga" component enlists neighbourhood leaders, local health committees, and GAD (municipal government) resources for cleanup campaigns
5. Laboratory capacity: Expanded deployment of IgM diagnostic tests for dengue across local clinics
6. Treatment readiness: Pre-positioning of medical supplies and hospital capacity in high-risk zones

Why This Year Is Concerning

Ecuador's rainy season (roughly December through May) creates ideal breeding conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito that carries dengue. The Ministry of Health has flagged 2026 as a high-risk year based on:

• La Niña weather patterns that increase rainfall intensity on the coast
• Population growth in peri-urban areas with poor drainage infrastructure
• The concurrent risk of Zika and Chikungunya, which are carried by the same mosquito species

What This Means for Expats

If you live on the coast or in the Amazon:

• Dengue is a real risk, not a theoretical one. The seven targeted provinces include popular expat areas like Salinas, Manta, and Esmeraldas (Atacames beach area)
• Eliminate standing water around your home — plant saucers, roof gutters, unused containers, old tires, and pet water bowls are prime breeding sites
• Use repellent (DEET-based products are most effective) during dawn and dusk hours when Aedes aegypti is most active
• Symptoms to watch for: Sudden high fever, severe headache behind the eyes, joint/muscle pain, rash. Seek medical attention immediately — dengue can progress to a hemorrhagic form that is life-threatening

If you live in the Sierra (Cuenca, Quito, Vilcabamba):

• Dengue-carrying mosquitoes generally do not survive at altitudes above 2,000 meters, so Cuenca (2,550m) and Quito (2,850m) have negligible risk
• Vilcabamba (1,500m) is at the lower edge of the risk zone — use precautions during especially warm, rainy periods
• Travel to the coast during Carnival or Easter holiday warrants bringing repellent and being mosquito-aware

Sources: Ministerio de Salud Pública, Primicias