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

Outrage in Costa Rica After Man Suspected of Killing 14 Dogs Is Released

A man identified by the surnames Ulloa Bustos, suspected of killing at least 14 dogs in the rural town of Pocora, was released after...

FBI Recordings Reveal Costa Rica Ex-Minister Celso Gamboa’s Drug Ties

Costa Rican authorities continue to hold former security minister Celso Gamboa in custody as U.S. officials push for his extradition on drug charges. Recent...

Costa Rica Anglers Catch Rare Orange and Albino Nurse Shark

Anglers on a fishing trip off Costa Rica's Caribbean coast caught a nurse shark unlike any seen before: bright orange skin and stark white...

Route 32 Reopens Following Preventive Closure Over Landslide Risk

Route 32, which connects San José with Limón, was reopened this morning after being closed for nearly 12 hours as a preventive measure due...

President Chaves Downplays Costa Rica’s Security Crisis Amid Record Homicides

President Rodrigo Chaves brushed off concerns about Costa Rica's surging violence during his Wednesday press conference, insisting the security situation "is not as serious"...

Costa Rica Replaces One-Lane Bridges as Traffic and Population Grow

As the infrastructure of Costa Rica advances, with new four-lane highways and a series of bypasses around San José that avoid the narrow, congested...
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