How COVID, cholera, and other diseases are affecting the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- In its Epidemiological Week 24 bulletin, the Ministry of Health reported that no new cases of cholera, leptospirosis, or COVID-19 were recorded, reflecting the control of notifiable diseases and a downward trend in these cases.

Four cases of malaria were reported, three in the province of San Juan and one in Azua, both endemic areas that maintain active outbreaks of the disease.

So far this year, 435 cases have been confirmed, of which 50% (217) were concentrated in the Azua outbreak, followed by San Juan with 41% (177) and Elías Piña, which registered 6% (26) of the cases. Regarding nationality, 71% (310) of those affected are of Dominican origin, while 29% (125) are Haitian citizens. The most affected group is women between 20 and 29 years old.

During epidemiological week 24, the Doctor Defilló National Reference Laboratory for Public Health processed 70 respiratory samples, confirming the circulation of different viruses, including Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09, Influenza A (H3N2), Influenza B (Victoria lineage), SARS-CoV-2, and Parainfluenza virus.

The positivity rate for influenza was 12.9%, while for SARS-CoV-2, it was 2.9%. For other respiratory viruses, the rate was 4.3%, and for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), no positive cases were recorded.

Infant deaths

Of infant deaths reported this epidemiological week, 23 were reported. In the Dominican Republic, as of SE-24 2025, 771 infant deaths have been recorded, a decrease of 242 compared to the 2024 period.