Honduras: Ongoing dengue epidemic declared worst in country’s history /update 4

Event

An estimated 78,728 cases of dengue fever have been recorded in Honduras in the first nine months of the year, marking the worst dengue epidemic in the country's history. The epidemic has left 142 dead from severe dengue in 2019. The worst-affected departments remain Cortés, Santa Bárbara, and Comayagua in the north, west and center of Honduras.

A state of emergency was declared in Honduras on Thursday, July 2, at which point 15,000 cases were reported.

Hospital and clinic services are likely to be significantly reduced and long wait times should be expected. 

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.).