Colombia: Reports of 48 dengue-related deaths February 24

Event

Health authorities in Colombia have reported 48 dengue-related deaths between Wednesday, January 1, and Monday, February 24. The country also reported an estimated 12,217 cases, ten percent of which are concentrated to Cali. The National Institute of Health (INS) also declared a dengue epidemic in the country.

Further spread of the outbreak is likely in the coming weeks.  

Advice

Individuals in Colombia 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.).