More than 5,000 people infected by dengue this year

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by a virus. / A.M. Costa Rica wire services photo.

-Published Friday, October 4, 2019-

More than 5,000 people infected by dengue this year

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Ministry of Health reported Thursday that there has been an increase in cases of people infected with dengue virus compared to last year.

According to the statistics provided by the Ministry, from January to September, 5,338 people have been infected by dengue. During the same period last year, there were 1,780 registered cases.

Of the total of cases reported this year, no deaths are linked to the virus. However, three patients were considered severe.

"The most affected cantons are: Sarapiquí, Guácimo, Pococí, and Turrialba," in the province of Limón*, said the ministry in its statement.

As A.M. Costa Rica previously reported, the first case of a patient with the dengue virus in the country was recorded in 1993.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by a virus. Symptoms typically begin three to 14 days after infection. This may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pain, and a skin rash.

Recovery takes two to seven days. In a small portion of cases, the disease becomes hemorrhagic with bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage that can become dengue shock syndrome and dangerously low blood pressure.

Dengue is spread by several species of female mosquitoes of the Aedes type, principally A. aegypti.

There are five types of the virus. Infection with one type sometimes provides lifelong immunity to that type, but only short-term immunity to the others. Subsequent infections of a different type increase the risk of certain complications. Several tests are available to confirm the diagnosis, including detecting antibodies to the virus or its RNA.

The World Health Organization estimates that climate change, urbanization, and other factors could result in more than 6 billion people at risk of dengue infection by 2080.

The authorities called on the population to increase precautionary measures and eliminate breeding sites that mosquito larvae, especially due to the increase in rainfall.

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Have you heard of dengue cases reported in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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