The Minister of Public Health, Freddy Hidalgo, during his visit to the province of San Cristobal stated that the appearance of the Chijungunya virus has turned into an outbreak, and the authorities are trying to stem the spread of the virus in the Dominican Republic. Hidalgo took part in a meeting with provincial authorities and members of the Pan American Health Organization during which they launched the National Plan for the Control of the Chikungunya Virus. The minister told the Listin Diario that they have tried to establish a cordon around the area of Nigua where the first case appeared to prevent the spread of the virus.