Minister for Public Health Freddy Hidalgo has said that the country is in the midst of a dengue epidemic and there is a need for education and guidance, the elimination of breeding grounds and more medical care.
He said that to date this year there have been 5,800 cases of dengue and 12 deaths compared to October last year when there were 1,587 suspected cases and two deaths.
He went on to say the increase in dengue cases has been dramatic this year but that they are trying hard to educate the public to carry out preventive measures, primarily reducing the potential breeding ground for the disease-carrying mosquito.
In addition he said that they needed to work with the local authorities and primary care providers to ensure that the medical staff know who should be taken to hospital.
Interestingly, although dengue is on the increase, he said that the cases of malaria have decreased by 30% over last year.
www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2012/10/8/250321/El-pais-esta-ante-una-epidemia-de-dengue