Dengue fever in Paraguay

The Paraguay Ministry of Health reported 14,517 dengue cases in the past three weeks, of which, 2,563 were classified as confirmed or probable.

So far, since the epidemic started last September, 326,411 total dengue cases have been reported, including more than 90,000 cases that are confirmed or probable.

40 percent of cases were reported in children.

DEN-2 is the predominate serotype accounting for 86 percent of all cases tested.

Health officials say:

• If you present fever or other symptoms of dengue, you are encouraged to go to the doctor in a timely manner to detect the appearance of warning signs early and avoid complications of the condition. It is important to avoid self-medication and comply with medical rest under a mosquito net to prevent the spread of the virus.

• Pay main attention to the warning signs which may be: abdominal pain, vomiting, altered consciousness, bleeding (gums, nose, genitals and others).

• Taking into account that Paraguay is an endemic country for dengue, it is necessary to persist in control actions and elimination of breeding sites all year round, mainly after the rains.

• Dispose of any unused object that accumulates water.

• Useless objects that cannot be disposed of, such as household appliances, tires or others, must be placed under a roof or covered to prevent them from accumulating water.

• Cover tanks, drums or any container that contains water that will be used so that mosquitoes do not enter.

• Change the animals' water daily, after cleaning the container with a brush, water and soap, in order to eliminate possible eggs that may have stuck to the walls of the container.

• Replace the water in the vases with wet sand.

• Chlorinate the water in swimming pools to prevent the reproduction of mosquitoes.