The Dominican Republic has concluded 2025 with a significant public health milestone, reporting zero deaths from dengue fever and a historic reduction in cases, according to the Ministry of Public Health.
For the first time in a full calendar year, the country recorded no fatalities associated with the mosquito-borne illness, positioning the Caribbean nation as a regional benchmark for disease control.
According to the Epidemiology Department’s Week 50 bulletin, the country has seen a drastic decline in transmission. In the final four weeks of the reporting period, only 34 cases were notified. The total accumulated cases for 2025 (weeks 1 through 50) stand at 320, with an incidence rate of 3.10. This represents a 76% reduction compared to figures from 2024.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has recognized the Dominican Republic as a leader in dengue management, citing its success in suppressing the disease even as other countries in the region face rising transmission rates.
Health Minister Víctor Atallah attributed the success to sustained epidemiological surveillance, vector control, and community education. He noted that the national reduction of cases, estimated at over 85% by the Ministry’s internal metrics, is the direct result of coordinated government action.
“The participation of all sectors involved demonstrated that prevention is a fundamental axis for protecting the population,” Atallah stated. “Health and education are national causes, and it is everyone’s commitment to work on disease prevention.”
The Ministry spearheaded the “Let’s Beat Dengue” (Ganémosle al dengue) campaign under the slogan “Eliminate, Clean, and Cover.” The initiative mobilized Provincial Health Agencies (DPS/DAS) and community groups to execute breeding site elimination, targeted fumigation, debris removal, and the distribution of larvicides.
The country’s success extended to other vector-borne diseases. The Ministry reported zero deaths associated with Chikungunya and Zika for 2025. Following regional alerts regarding these viruses, health authorities activated containment protocols, including reinforced surveillance at points of entry.
Officials also highlighted the “Anti-Dengue Family” strategy, a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Education and PAHO. This program trained students and teachers to act as force multipliers for preventive measures within their communities.
Despite the historic numbers, the Ministry of Health urged the public to keep the preventive measures. Authorities emphasize that prevention in homes and neighborhoods is essential to keep the diseases under control.
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Ministry of Public Health
6 January 2026