Estimated annual costs of Chikungunya fever in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the cost of illness of Chikungunya in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2019.

Methods: The study is a partial economic evaluation carried out with secondary data with free and unrestricted access. Direct outpatient and indirect costs of the acute, post-acute, and chronic phases of Chikungunya fever were estimated, in addition to hospital costs. The estimate of direct costs was performed using the notified cases and the standard treatment flowchart in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The indirect ones consist of loss of productivity and disability, using the burden of disease indicator (Disability-adjusted life year - DALY).

Results: The total number of reported cases was 38,830. Total costs were calculated at BRL 279,807,318, with 97% related to indirect costs.

Conclusion: The chronic phase and indirect costs were the most expensive. The inability and permanence of Chikungunya differentiate the disease and increase the costs of its treatment.