Public Health reinforces search for malaria cases in farms and migrant communities

Santo Domingo—During epidemiological week 10, the Ministry of Public Health and the General Directorate of Epidemiology (Digepi) reported three new confirmed malaria cases, bringing the total accumulated since the beginning of this year, 2025, to 82.

22.8% of the reported cases correspond to citizens of Haitian nationality, so health authorities announced that they had renewed the focus on the active search for cases, especially in migrant communities and settlements of agricultural workers on farms.

“The intensification of community-based febrile case detection strategies is one of the key actions within the strategic efforts to achieve the goal of malaria elimination in the country,” the document highlights.

Of the 82 confirmed tests, 64 were in San Juan, 16 in Azua, and two in Santo Domingo.

As for the patients with probable symptoms, the authorities indicate that, after the report of 298 incidents, the total number of suspected cases increased to 4,587.

The bite of the Anopheles mosquito transmits malaria.

Dengue
Between March 2 and 8, 27 suspected cases of dengue were reported in the country, but no new confirmed cases were reported.

The cumulative number up to week 10 is 404 suspected cases and 31 confirmed cases.

Compared to the same period in 2024, there was a 93% decrease in suspected cases and a 95.24% decrease in confirmed cases, reflecting a significant reduction in the incidence of the disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Leptospirosis
Public Health and Digepi reported four suspected cases of leptospirosis, with no new laboratory confirmations.

The accumulated number of suspected cases is 103, and 16 have been confirmed cases. Of the cases, 33.98% are of Haitian nationality, and 66.02% are Dominican.

The Ministry of Health says it continues to reinforce key disease control strategies, such as rodent control and sanitation measures.

These include improving access to safe drinking water, reducing exposure to stagnant water, and promoting good hygiene practices. Animal vaccination campaigns are also being carried out, especially in areas where livestock can be a reservoir for Leptospira bacteria.

Cholera and diphtheria
Up to epidemiological week 10, no suspected cholera cases have been reported in the country, representing a 100% reduction compared to the same period last year, when 106 records were documented.

Regarding diphtheria, Public Health reported one probable case corresponding to a child between five and nine years of age who lived in the municipality of San Ignacio de Sabaneta.

So far this year, the accumulated number of cases is four.

Respiratory Viruses

Respiratory viruses continue to circulate in the country. (EXTERNAL SOURCE)
In Epidemiological Week 10, the circulation of influenza A (H1N1) pdm 09, influenza B Victoria, and parainfluenza viruses was detected. Throughout the year, authorities have observed the presence of a respiratory syncytial virus, metapneumovirus 1, 2, and 3, influenza A (H3N2), adenovirus, and Sars-CoV-2.

Public Health emphasizes the importance of preventive measures such as frequent hand washing, using masks with flu-like symptoms, avoiding self-medication, maintaining ventilated spaces, and going to the health center in case of fever or discomfort.

Maternal and infant deaths
In this new bulletin, two maternal deaths were reported, corresponding to women between 20 and 29 years of age, both of Dominican origin.

The accumulated figure up to week 10 is 33 deaths, which represents a decrease of 19 % to 2024 when 41 were reported.

With 22 new deaths, the total number of infant deaths rises to 337.

Of neonatal deaths, authorities reported 20 deaths, a total of 302 since the beginning of 2025.