Honduras: Dengue fever outbreak continues nationwide as of mid-November /update 5

Event

The worst dengue epidemic in Honduras's history is ongoing as of mid-November. According to health officials, 96,779 cases and 157 associated fatalities have been reported as of November 10. The worst hit departments remain Cortés, Santa Bárbara, and Comayagua. However, all 20 health regions have recorded cases this year. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned that some hospitals do not have the capacity to handle the increasing number of patients.

The Ministry of Health has allocated additional funds to prevent the spread of the disease; however, further spread of the outbreak is anticipated over the near term. 

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.).