El Salvador: Reported dengue cases increase in Santa Ana as of late September

Event

The number of reported cases of dengue fever has increased in recent days in Santa Ana department, the region most severely affected by the outbreak affecting parts of El Salvador. As of September 28, some 261 probable and confirmed cases of the disease have been reported in Santa Ana department, up from the 236 probable and confirmed cases reported as of September 21. Further spread of the disease is to be expected in Santa Ana over the coming weeks.

Context

Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rashes. DHF is characterized by high fever, the enlargement of the liver, and hemorrhaging.

Advice

Individuals in Santa Ana department are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites (e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping under mosquito netting or in an air-conditioned room) and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds (e.g. small pockets of fresh water, such as rainwater that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).