Dengue and malaria in Costa Rica
Dengue fever
The Costa Rica Ministry of Health reports 2,679 cases of dengue during the first four weeks of 2024.
This represents an increase of 298 compared to the same period last year. No deaths have been reported.
The Central North region has the highest number of suspected cases (646).
Officials from the Vector Control Program announced yesterday they are carrying out interventions to combat dengue in the towns of Caro Quintero, Los huevitos and El Erizo in Alajuela.
This is the second cycle of fumigation carried out in the communities.
The Minister of Health and Vice President, Dr. Mary Munive Angermûller, recalls that the Ministry of Health also maintains strategies against the dengue mosquito outside the GAM.
“We are working in Alajuela and San José, but that does not mean that we are letting our guard down in other sectors, no, we focus on these areas because the peak is in these places, but we continue to pay attention to the entire country, but It is extremely important to emphasize that dengue is a preventable and controlled disease if all the breeding sites around us are eliminated,” added Munive.
The population is reminded to constantly clean and empty the containers in which water is stored for domestic use, check and clean canoes and all black plastic in the yards of homes, as well as put unused tires indoors or take them away. to the respective collection sites. Likewise, you are urged to collaborate with our officials when they visit your homes for fumigation, presenting proper identification.
In 2023, Costa Rica reported 28,420 cases of dengue fever and no deaths.
Malaria
Malaria in Costa Rica has seen an increase since 2017. In the first four weeks of the year, 24 cases of malaria were reported, of which of which 18 are indigenous cases, 5 imported and 1 pending classification.