ENFERMEDADES EMERGENTES Y REEMERGENTES EN ECUADOR Y EL ABORDAJE PREVENTIVO EN ENFERMERÍA

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine emerging and re-emerging diseases in Ecuador and the preventive approach in nursing, in order to strengthen the skills of nursing staff in the early identification, prevention, and control of these pathologies. A systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, with searches in PubMed, ScienceDirect, SciELO, and Google Scholar during the period 2020- 2025. Primary studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses in Spanish, English and Portuguese that addressed emerging and re- emerging diseases and preventive nursing interventions were included. Single case reports, studies with significant methodological limitations and those focused exclusively on chronic noncommunicable diseases were excluded. Emerging diseases identified include COVID-19, H1N1 influenza, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, arboviruses (Zika, Chikungunya, Mayaro), yellow fever, monkeypox, and zoonoses. Re-emerging diseases include multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, malaria, dengue with geographical expansion, whooping cough in infants, severe Chagas disease, cholera, measles, diphtheria, and leptospirosis. Fifty-six per cent of the Ecuadorian population lives in areas at high risk for Aedes aegypti. Preventive nursing approaches include active epidemiological surveillance, vector control, vaccination, health education, early molecular diagnosis, and biosafety. Continuous training of nursing staff is needed to reduce gaps between theoretical knowledge and effective clinical practice in the face of these health threats.