Public Health intensifies dengue prevention efforts in La Altagracia and across Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Public Health is intensifying dengue prevention efforts nationwide, focusing on provinces with the highest number of cases through breeding-site elimination, targeted fumigation, epidemiological surveillance, and door-to-door outreach.

According to the epidemiological bulletin for week 40, 15 new dengue cases were confirmed in the past week, bringing the 2026 total to 415. La Altagracia has recorded the most cases with 131, followed by La Romana with 37 and Puerto Plata with 33.

In La Altagracia, health teams conducted fumigation and community interventions in Higüey and Verón-Bávaro, reaching 342 homes and 1,242 people. Door-to-door teams also inspected water tanks, eliminated 96 breeding sites, and distributed larvicides, chlorine, tank covers, and mosquito nets.

Authorities are also strengthening active case detection, monitoring confirmed patients, and training healthcare personnel to improve the timely reporting and follow-up of cases. Efforts are being coordinated with local authorities, community groups, schools, tourism businesses, and other sectors.

Public Health urged residents to keep water containers covered, eliminate standing water, and remove objects that can become mosquito breeding sites. It also advised people with fever to seek medical care rather than self-medicate, particularly if warning signs such as severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, drowsiness, or irritability develop.

The ministry said the Dominican Republic continues to have one of the lowest dengue incidence rates in the region, with a cumulative rate of 4.89 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.