Dominican Rep.: Over 14,000 cases of dengue reported as of December 4

Event

The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Public Health (MOH) has reported 14,731 cases of dengue fever throughout the country as of Wednesday, December 4. At least 34 associated deaths have also been confirmed due to the ongoing outbreak. According to health officials, cases are continuing to rise and San José De Ocoa province remains on red alert. The highest number of cases were recorded in the National District and Santo Domingo.

Further spread of the disease is anticipated over the near term.

Context

Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rashes. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, the enlargement of the liver, and hemorrhaging.

Advice

Individuals in the Dominican Republic 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.).