Ministry of Health reports 1,819 dengue cases in just one week

The Epidemiological Bulletin, published on the afternoon of November 8, indicates that 29,003 cases have already been reported to the Ministry of Health this year, amounting to 546.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

These numbers exceed those observed in 2023 on the same date by 148%, when 19,527 cases were reported. These numbers are even higher than all of last year (28,420 cases) and make 2024 the fourth year with the highest number of dengue cases on record in Costa Rica.

Nine weeks before the end of the year (based on data available to date), only three years have seen more dengue cases than 2024: 2010 (31,484), 2005 (37,798) and 2013 (49,993).

READ MORE: What is dengue and how to prevent it?

Warning signs of dengue fever worry authorities

Of the 1819 patients at week 43, 147 (8.08%) had warning signs. They are given this name because they indicate complications of the disease that require immediate attention to avoid severe dengue.

These symptoms usually begin after the fever subsides and the patient feels better:

• Stomach ache
• Swelling
• Vomit
• Bleeding
• Change in state of consciousness

Periodic pain in the stomach, which is difficult to go unnoticed, is the most characteristic manifestation of these symptoms.

Between 38 and 43 weeks (mid-September to late October), Salud counted 816 patients with the disease, an average of 136 per week. That is, 11.88% of people with dengue fever show warning signs.

READ MORE: Dengue: symptoms, prevention and what you should know about this disease

Where is the dengue?

The region with the most cases in the country is the Central South, which clusters densely populated urban areas of San José and Cartago. A total of 8,924 cases were recorded there. If you look at it by canton, the biggest influences are:

• San Jose: 3473.
• Alajuela: 3004.
• Turrialba: 2907.
• San Carlos: 1516.
• Homeless: 1,342 people.

If we take population into account and analyze the rates per 100,000 inhabitants, the most affected region is Brunca (South Pacific) with 943.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. By canton, the area with the highest incidence:

• Turrialba: 3,962.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
• Athens: 3,868 cases per 100,000.
• Jimenez: 3440.7.
• Bear: 2928.3.
• Santa Ana: 2116.3.

Despite the rise in cases, a recent study by the Costa Rican Institute for Research and Teaching in Nutrition and Health (Inciensa) ruled out that a more aggressive virus is circulating in the country.

The study was motivated by the fact that five dead up to this point they were infected with serotype 3 (DENV-3). However, the analysis showed that this serotype variant has been circulating since last year and is not more aggressive. The serotype of the virus that infected sixth person to die.

READ MORE: Why might a second dengue infection be worse than the first?

Dengue prevention is key

Given the rains of recent days and the accumulation of water, prevention of this disease must be carried out at several levels.

On the one hand, there is part of the responsibility of health authorities; on the other hand, the actions that every person should perform in his home.

According to the bulletin, the Ministry of Health disinfected 1,161,186 houses. In addition, 1,651,089 potential transfer deposits were processed and 1,084,768 deposits were eliminated.

In addition, 634,248 homes were visited across the country for education, larvicide application and breeding site eradication. In each home, measures are aimed at eliminating mosquito breeding sites. Aedes aegypticarrier of the disease.

At the population level, it is important to remember how dengue fever is transmitted. Woman from Aedes

Lays eggs in clean water. Any container that collects water, no matter how small, can be an ideal place for new mosquitoes to develop.

It is also necessary to emphasize that one mosquito with the virus can infect several people in the same or nearby places.

Here are some recommendations:

• Remove containers, buckets, pet waterers and plastic that collect water.
• Place unused tires indoors or take them to collection points.
• Check your yard after rains to remove water from all possible containers.
• Use repellents outdoors, especially in areas with high transmission rates.
• I prefer to wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers.
• Consider using mosquito nets, especially in areas with the highest incidence.

READ MORE: My dengue diary: It was the worst eight days I’ve ever experienced