Public Health detects 183 suspected cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection

Santo Domingo — In the last week, the country’s sentinel epidemiological surveillance system reported 18 suspected cases of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), with children aged 1 to 4 most affected.

The Ministry of Public Health reports that 183 suspected cases have been detected so far this year in its bulletin corresponding to epidemiological week 11, which records notifications up to the 15th of this month.

It details that in the last week, the circulation of several respiratory viruses was detected, including Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09, SARS-CoV-2, and parainfluenza.

The Ministry of Public Health indicates that surveillance and reinforcement of preventive measures to protect the population are being maintained. It reminds us that influenza is a viral infection that affects the respiratory tract and is transmitted by droplets from coughing or sneezing.

He emphasizes that in most cases, the patient recovers without complications, but it can be serious in young children, older adults, and people with chronic diseases. He calls for continuing to adopt preventive measures, including hygiene and going to the doctor when symptoms occur.

Suspected cases of dengue fever

The report states that in epidemiological week 11, 28 suspected dengue cases and four confirmed cases were reported in the Dominican Republic, for a cumulative total of 437 suspected and 37 confirmed cases so far this year.

The accumulated incidence of suspected cases is 19.22 per 100,000 inhabitants, with the province of Hermanas Mirabal having the highest incidence at 189.80 per 100,000 inhabitants.

87 malaria cases confirmed

Three malaria cases were confirmed this last week, totaling 87 confirmed cases so far this year, which represents a reduction of 66% compared to the same period in 2024.

It indicates that 21% of the cases correspond to Haitian nationals, which has prompted an intensification of the active search for cases, especially in migrant communities and agricultural settlements.

Public Health emphasizes that strategies for the detection of febrile cases have been reinforced as part of the plan to eliminate the disease and that it maintains key prevention and control actions, prioritizing early detection, timely treatment, and vector control to reduce transmission and move towards the eradication of malaria in the country.

There are 113 suspected cases of leptospirosis.

Regarding leptospirosis, eight suspected cases were reported in the last week, with no new confirmed cases, while so far this year, 113 suspected cases and 16 confirmed cases have been reported.

The province of San José de Ocoa has the highest accumulated incidence of suspected cases with 56.85 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Of the cases, 33.63% are of Haitian nationality, and 66.37% are Dominican. Leptospirosis is caused by a bacterium transmitted to humans through contact with the urine of contaminated animals.