Honduras: Over 10,000 dengue fever cases as of early April

Event

On Monday, April 6, the Honduran government has confirmed 10,584 cases of dengue fever since January, including nine associated fatalities. Over 900 cases of the disease were reported to be severe. Health officials added that the ongoing outbreak continues to be an emergency for the country. According to authorities, the most affected areas are in San Pedro Sula, Choluteca, and El Paraíso. However, all 20 health regions have reported cases of the disease this year.

The government has urged the public to stay at home to prevent further spread of both the coronavirus (COVID-19) and dengue. Further spread of the disease 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.).