The representative of the Panamerican Health Organization in the DR, Pedro Luis Catellanos said that the appearance of cases of dengue in the DR is normal for this time of the year (June to November when it rains more frequently). He said there are no reasons to restrict travel to or from the DR. He said that in the hotel zones dengue is rare because of the "sub-urban" nature of the resorts that do not make for regular breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Dengue has primarily affected urban areas such as Santo Domingo. In a press conference, Castellanos urged an increase in dengue prevention measures, hygiene and water storage methods, to eliminate potential breeding places for the mosquitoes. He said that so far this year, 1,315 cases of dengue have been detected, with 26 of the acute hemorrhagic fever kind. Last year, there were 1,216 cases and in 1988, there were 4,011 cases (the year of heavy rains and Hurricane Georges). He said that dengue is endemic to the tropics and mentioned stats for other area countries: Brazil 24,280 cases Ecuador 12,800 cases Colombia 10,900 cases Venezuela 11,400 cases (2 deaths) Barbados 291 cases El Salvador 1,700 cases (30 deaths) For more info on dengue, see http://www.dr1.com/health_2.htm (9 October 2000)
