Yes, but...
HB writes:
>>You will find a lot of threads on these two things: Malaria and dengue.
>>
>>Look at them.
>>
>>Generally speaking they are not threats unless you are poor and live near the cane fields, or porrest of barrios.
>>
Well, actually, HB, they are GREATER risks under the conditions you describe. But the risk still exists elsewhere. When I lived in SD, we resided in one of the nicest neighborhoods in the city, and we were not poor. Yet my wife, a bank executive, was stricken by dengue in 1998 for a week of agony. It only takes one mosquito carrier to infect you, and the mosquitos do not check to see what neighborhood they're in.
The World Health Organization (WHO) lists the DR as "limited risk" for malaria. As for dengue, they do not characterize the relative risk level -- they simply note areas where cases have been reported (the DR is one).
Ken writes:
>> Any place where there is standing water is a risk area. That includes not only stagnant ponds but also old tires, paint cans, etc., etc., lying that can collect rain water and retain it.<<
The trouble, Ken, is that this describes much of the island of Hispanola. Even "rich" sections of SD, Santiago & PP have vacant lots full of scrap tires, open paint cans, etc., not to mention clogged street drains that form pools every time it rains.
The Ministry of Public Health every year conducts a publicity campaign to remind Dominicans that they need to eliminate these possible mosquito breeding grounds. It helps some, but frankly, until the DR gets serious about addressing its trash and drainage problems, there will always be a risk of dengue and malaria in the DR. Usually, but not always, low, but present nonetheless.
Regards,
Keith