Communities must continue to be involved in prevention efforts, warns infectious disease specialist, Dr. Clemente Terrero. He made the statement after the government announced that dengue here is under control.
The Ministry of Public Health under Dr. Victor Atallah had begun an aggressive preventive campaign since he was named in January 2024, at a time when dengue was taking the Americas with a vengeance. Dr. Atallah is a functional medicine practitioner who is bringing an emphasis on prevention to the Ministry of Public Health.
Dr. Clemente Terrero has urged for continued vigilance in monitoring the circulating strains of the virus. Terrero expressed concern that any variations in the virus could lead to a resurgence of cases. In an interview with Listín Diario, Terrero also attributed the current low levels of dengue to the continued circulation of the same serotype that dominated the previous outbreak. This means that a significant portion of the population has already developed immunity, making them less susceptible to the disease.
Terrero emphasized the importance of maintaining surveillance and preventive measures and continuing to involve communities in these efforts.
The Ministry of Public Health reports that for three weeks there has not been a confirmed case of dengue in the country. According to the epidemiological report for week 32, ending on 10 August 2024, 51 suspected dengue cases were reported. Of these, 76.47% were sampled, with none testing positive. The cumulative number of confirmed cases for the year stands at 1,010, resulting in an incidence rate of 15.38 per 100,000 inhabitants. Health authorities have reported a 28% decrease in cases compared to the same period in 2023.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
26 August 2024