04 Jul 2019 | 05:54 PM UTC
Honduras: State of emergency declared over dengue outbreak July 2 /update 2
Government declares national state of emergency on July 2 due to ongoing dengue outbreak; at least 15,000 cases reported as of July 2
Event
The Honduran government declared a national state of emergency on Tuesday, July 2, due to an ongoing outbreak of dengue fever. At least 15,000 cases of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and 44 associated deaths have been reported as of early July, primarily in the north, central, and western portions of the countries. The most affected department is Cortés with 4200 cases; Yoro, Olancho, Santa Bárbara departments have also reported high numbers of cases. Further spread of the disease is expected in the coming months.
Context
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease found mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rash. Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, enlargement of the liver, and hemorrhaging.
Advice
Individuals present in Honduras are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites (e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping in a screened-in or air-conditioned room) and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds on their properties (e.g. small pockets of fresh water, such as rainwater that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).
