The Government of Nuevo Ecuador announced on March 23 that more than 19,000 people participated in the Gran Minga Nacional contra el Dengue 2026, a nationwide campaign to prevent the spread of dengue. The central event took place in the Eloy Alfaro neighborhood of Tena, which had the highest incidence rate of dengue cases in 2025.
This large-scale mobilization is part of the National Plan against Dengue. Officials report that it has led to a reduction in disease incidence by over 56 percent so far this year compared to the same period last year. As of epidemiological week ten, there have been 4,565 reported cases across the country, with women aged between 20 and 49 most affected.
Vice President María José Pinto led efforts to prioritize resources and personnel for territorial outreach aimed at stopping dengue transmission. The campaign involved more than one thousand health officials and citizens from various social sectors. Activities were held simultaneously at over thirty locations spanning nine zonal coordinations, including cities such as Nueva Loja, Tena, Puyo, Portoviejo, Vinces, Sucúa, Yantzaza, Guayaquil and Quito.
A total of 329 brigades—each consisting of at least five members—visited more than one thousand neighborhoods and communities for physical inspections and detection of suspected cases. Local government staff assisted with collecting tires and debris that could hold water; authorities reported gathering over two thousand tires and destroying approximately eighteen thousand containers.
Lucy Baldeón, Vice Minister of Health who inaugurated activities in Tena said: “Today we are in Tena united by a common purpose: to care for the life and health of our communities and families. La minga is collective work and commitment; today that strength is at the service of fighting dengue.”
Patricia Amores, president of Barrio Eloy Alfaro added: “Any neglect in our yards or buckets can become a risk to life. Today we raise our voice as a neighborhood to say: enough with dengue!”
Health workers provided information on proper water storage practices to nearly seventeen thousand residents during home visits. They advised regular checks on water containers as well as emptying or eliminating any items that could collect standing water.
Officials urge anyone experiencing symptoms not to self-medicate but instead visit their nearest health center immediately.
