The Ministry of Public Health reports that as of this Tuesday, 14 February 2023, some 21,087 people, including 5,700 jail prisoners, have been vaccinated against cholera. The total number of confirmed cases in the country is 71. So far, cholera cases have been detected in Villa Liberación, El Almirante, Ensanche Luperón, and Villas Agrícolas (Health Areas IV and I) in the National District, according to Eladio Perez, Deputy Minister of Collective Health.
Dr. Perez says that government efforts at containing the disease have been effective. “The intervention has been extremely effective, the number of cases has remained stable, however we call on the population to continue getting vaccinated but above all to take care of hygiene, which is the main mechanism to prevent the disease,” he said speaking during the weekly Ministry of Public Health press conference.
He also informed that the 12 reported cases of diphtheria have been identified in Haitian nationals, six of which have been discarded, six are still to be confirmed and one has died. Dr. Lucia (Luchy) Vargas, director of the department of diseases preventable by vaccines at the Ministry of Public Health indicated that the vaccine against diphtheria is contained in the pentavalent vaccine applied even to pregnant mothers and newborns regularly. She said the vaccination against diptheria will be expanded in border areas as a preventive measure.
In the case of cholera, 5,700 inmates of La Victoria prison in northern Santo Domingo and 1,065 of Rafey prison in Santiago have been vaccinated. Health care personnel and those living on the border and in vulnerable areas are priority for the cholera vaccination campaign.
The Ministry of Public Health reports there are 24 fixed points for vaccinations in the country. So far, 16 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been applied, including fourth and fifth doses. 367,832 doses of influenza vaccine have been administered.
The Ministry of Public Health director of Epidemiology, Dr. Ronald Skewes reported that Covid-19 continues on its downward trend. As of 14 February 2023 bulletin, the 4-week positivity is at 1.56%.
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Ministry of Public Health
16 February 2023