Undeniable dengue epidemic; children’s hospital with 50 admitted

The cases of children affected by dengue continue unhindered. Yesterday Robert Reid Cabral hospital had 50 children admitted, two in serious condition in the intensive care room.

The same occurs in hospitals such as Hugo Mendoza, General of the Plaza de la Salud, Arturo Grullón, in Santo Domingo and Santiago.

The authorities of the Ministry have confirmed that the dengue epidemic is at its highest point so far this year. Despite official restrictions to obtain the data, it was reported that Robert Reid maintains the figure of 32 deaths and a high incidence in the emergency and consultation areas.

In hospitals such as Hugo Mendoza and Plaza de la Salud, doctors have strictly reinforced compliance with the protocols to prevent mortality from rising.

Dengue is a viral disease that is transmitted through the Aedes Aegypti mosquito and has officially claimed 10 deaths and 6,383 probable cases.

Aedes aegypti mosquito is responsible for the spread of dengue and other serious illnesses. They are active in daylight.

The epidemic is 10 times higher than the number recorded last year, so authorities ask the country to remain alert, vigilant, and asks the population to be attentive to the warning signs of viral disease.

Among the most frequent symptoms of the disease are a permanent headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and rash.

In epidemiological week 30, 723 suspected cases of dengue were reported, for every one accumulated during the last four epidemiological weeks of 2,509 cases, more than half correspond to those under 15 years of age.

During this period the disease maintains a higher than expected increase compared to the same period in the last five years.

Additionally, five provinces are on green alert, Pedernales, María Trinidad Sánchez, Samaná, El Seibo, and La Altagracia. The rest of the territory is on yellow alert.

Across the country, the cumulative incidence is 106.81 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 10 times more than reported in the same period of 2018. Lethality recognized by the authorities is currently 10 deaths, other hospital data are unofficial.

Dengue

Dengue is a viral disease, which from time to time causes epidemics in tropical countries. The region has an active epidemic at present.

Transmission

This pathology is transmitted through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The mosquito is responsible for Zika and Chikungunya, which also has had a high incidence for some time in the country.

Education

Since the beginning of the year 2019, the World Health Organization had warned that it would be a time of epidemic. This type of problem requires that the authorities design educational programs and that the communities cooperate with a campaign of thorough cleaning and de-cluttering of their environment and their homes.

The removal, covering, filling in, and eradication of all unnecessary and uncovered vessels, puddles, and trenches with standing water is critical in the disruption of mosquito breeding cycles.