EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE OF DENGUE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE LAMBAYEQUE REGION, PERU (2019–2020)

Introduction: Dengue is a public health problem. Objectives: To analyze the notification and investigation times of dengue cases and their relationship with the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study based on complete records from Noti.SP and SISCOVID in Lambayeque (2019-2020). Dengue surveillance times before and during the pandemic were compared, as well as their association with COVID-19 cases, using the Mann-Whitney test and Spearman correlation. Results: Between 2019 and 2020, a total of 1,598 dengue cases were reported in Chiclayo, Lambayeque, and Ferreñafe, with the highest number in 2019 (957 cases). In 2020, cases dropped to 641, with Ferreñafe showing a significant decrease from 784 to eight cases. A total of 78.8% were confirmed, and severe cases increased from one to thirteen. The median notification time increased in Chiclayo (from four to six days) and Ferreñafe (from four to 8.5 days), with no significant change in Lambayeque (p = 0.398). Investigation time also increased during the pandemic, especially in Ferreñafe (from two to 6.5 days), while it slightly decreased in Lambayeque. A positive and significant correlation was found between delayed dengue notification and COVID-19 cases (p = 0.042), and no district reached an optimal notification time, either before or during the pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected dengue surveillance, increasing notification and investigation times and causing geographical changes in case distribution.