The Ministry of Public Health Epidemiology Department says as of November, there have been 110 cases of deaths caused by dengue, a preventable disease. This total is 42 more deaths than reported in all of 2012, as reported in Diario Libre. Bulletin No. 48 of the department says that 15,521 cases have been reported. The increase in cases is attributed to increased monitoring and better diagnosis at public hospitals. The authorities say that health workers have been trained but follow up is necessary to avoid fatal outcomes. Epidemiologist Luis Reyes says that the deaths are mainly the result of late diagnostics, lack of quality attention and medical follow-up.
He recommends prevention measures that include keeping areas clean and storing water in closed containers. He says that the mosquito that transmits dengue breeds in stagnant water stored in containers without lids.