The Public Health Ministry has announced plans for an aggressive dengue prevention campaign for 1999 in order to avoid the types of case numbers the DR has had in recent years. In 1998, reports SESPAS, there were 3,932 cases reported, 36 of which resulted in death having not received proper medical attention. There are two types of dengue fever: classic, which involves constant fever, headaches and body aches for nearly a week but is surmountable with rest and regular precautions; hemorrhagic dengue, which originated in South East Asia, and can cause the victim to literally bleed to death in its most extreme form. There is currently no known cure (drug, vaccine) for dengue fever, so preventive measures are best. SESPAS plans an intensive campaign for July and August, about when dengue cases traditionally peak. Dominicans will be instructed in measures to take with their handling of water to prevent breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the carrier of the disease.
