Costa Rica dengue cases up more than 150% in 2024
The Costa Rica Ministry of Health is reporting a total of 27,791 dengue fever cases through the end of October. This is a 153 percent increase in cases compared to the same period in 2023 (18,125).
Health authorities reports the following cantons with the most cases- San José (3,369), Alajuela (2,941), Turrialba (2,844), San Carlos (1,521) and Atenas (1,164).
Costa Rica has confirmed five deaths from dengue, the first dengue-related fatalities since 2013.
“We are experiencing an epidemic that has never been recorded before,” stated Mary Munive, Minister of Health.
Dengue is a disease caused by a virus spread through mosquito bites. The disease can take up to 2 weeks to develop with illness generally lasting less than a week.
Symptoms from dengue include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle and joint pain, and minor bleeding.
Dengue can become severe within a few hours. Severe dengue is a medical emergency, usually requiring hospitalization.
In severe cases, health effects can include hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding), shock (seriously low blood pressure), organ failure, and death.