No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveDengue Declared Epidemic by Health Ministry

Dengue Declared Epidemic by Health Ministry

The Public Health Ministry declared this year’s outbreak of hemorrhagic dengue “epidemic” recently citing a 150% increase in cases this year compared to 2006.

According to ministry statistics, more than 180 people have been infected with the more serious hemorrhagic dengue, a strain of the virus that causes bruising and bleeding of the nose, gums and other orifices and is sometimes fatal.

The ministry is also investigating the possibility that dengue led to the deaths of more than 10 people, including three infants, according to a report in the daily La Nación.

Dr. Henry Wasserman, of the Epidemiology Unit at the Health Ministry, said people who’ve already been inflicted with dengue once are most likely to be infected by the hemorrhagic version.

Both are transferred to humans via the mosquito known as Aedes aegypti, which is most common in coastal, humid regions.

To date, Limón, on the Caribbean, and Guanacaste, along the northwest Pacific coast, are the provinces most affected by the outbreak of dengue fever, and cases have more than doubled compared to last year (TT, July 6).

Most recently, the Health Ministry announced its decision to cancel Limón’s annual Carnaval, the region’s iconic cultural festival, due to the rampant outbreak in that province and the potential for further deaths (TT, Aug. 30).

 

Trending Now

Paris Louvre Robbery Targets Apollo Gallery Crown Jewels

Robbers wielding power tools scaled a furniture hoist outside the Louvre to make off with priceless jewelry from the world-renowned museum on Sunday, taking...

Costa Rica Faces Calls to Strengthen Shark Protection Enforcement

Costa Rica faces growing pressure from environmental experts and lawyers to tighten enforcement of laws protecting endangered sharks. Recent court rulings have highlighted gaps...

From Costa Rica to the US an Expat Longing For Home

There are close to 200,000 people of Tico origin presently living in the US. I have spent the past month in an area where...

Costa Rican President Brushes Off Surge in Homicides

President Rodrigo Chaves has again brushed off Costa Rica's mounting security problems, labeling them as misunderstandings in a recent interview. Speaking on FOX Noticias,...

JetBlue Flash Sale: Fort Lauderdale to Liberia Flights Ends Today

Those looking for a deal on airfare and eyeing a trip between Florida and Costa Rica now have a chance to get one with...

Guatemala Backlash Grows after Escape of Imprisoned Gang Members

The escape of 20 “high-risk” gang members from a prison has sparked a political crisis in Guatemala, with criticism of President Bernardo Arévalo and...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica