The Ecuadorian government, through the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), has launched the National Plan against Dengue and the Great Community Minga 2026. The initiative aims to strengthen vector control actions for the prevention and management of dengue cases across the country.
At a press conference in Quito, Vice President María José Pinto formally announced the plan as a strategic, preventive, and proactive response to reduce the impact of dengue in high-risk areas. “As a government we are acting on time and with prevention in the field, eliminating breeding sites, stagnant water, and taking care of our spaces. We are working closely with communities and health personnel,” said Vice President María José Pinto. She also called on citizens to coordinate efforts: “A country that takes care of itself and protects itself in time is free from dengue.”
Based on an analysis of epidemiological data from 2025, MSP identified priority parishes nationwide for intervention. The plan will be implemented in two stages: Prevention and Preparation (currently underway) and Response to Cases and Outbreaks if necessary. Although these targeted areas represent only 2% of Ecuador’s territory, they accounted for 40% of all reported cases last year. A total of 1,532 critical localities have been selected for intervention, mainly in provinces such as Esmeraldas, Guayas, Santa Elena, Napo, El Oro, Pastaza, and Manabí.
Andrés Carrazco, Acting Vice Minister of Health Governance, provided details about the plan. He stated that it focuses primarily on disease prevention and community education at the local level. The goal is to interrupt virus transmission and reduce both severe case incidence and mortality rates using a multidisciplinary approach involving various sectors. Key actions include:
– Identifying neighborhoods with historically high incidence
– Sustained risk reduction before peak contagion periods
– Ensuring infrastructure and supplies for timely response
– Implementing preventive measures against outbreaks
– Promoting health education with support from community leaders
A central component is the Great Community Minga—a coordinated effort involving neighborhood leaders, local health committees, citizens at large, decentralized autonomous governments (GADs), and other state institutions—to eliminate mosquito breeding sites through both physical removal and chemical control.
The first phase integrates six coordinated strategies: monitoring vector presence; prompt case reporting; physical/chemical elimination of breeding grounds; health promotion; community awareness; strengthening laboratory networks with IgM testing for dengue; and treatment provision.
With this launch, national authorities reaffirm their commitment to public health by encouraging participation in cleaning activities aimed at preventing dengue spread throughout 2026.
