Guatemala: National Health Emergency Declared Due to Dengue Epidemic
Guatemala’s Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) has declared a National Health Emergency due to an early and steep rise in dengue cases in Guatemala.
As of late June, Guatemala is reporting more than five times the typical number of cases for this time of the year, including both dengue fever and severe (formerly called hemorrhagic) dengue cases.
To date, there have been over 43,000 reported dengue infections in Guatemala. Half of the cases are in children under the age of 15 years. At this time there are 50 deaths confirmed, the majority among children under age 15 (and the actual number likely higher).
Thus far, the areas with the highest incidence (cases/population) of dengue are in the departments of Jutiapa, Santa Rosa, Zacapa, El Progreso, and Baja Verapaz, although higher altitude departments particularly Sacatepéquez and Quetzaltenango, as well as the department of Guatemala are also reporting significant numbers of cases.
Dengue is caused by any one of four related viruses (dengue virus 1, 2, 3, and 4), all of which have been detected this year in Guatemala. The same type of mosquitoes can also spread chikungunya, Zika, and other viruses, though these are infrequently reported at present in Guatemala. If a person is infected with different dengue viruses during their life, it increases the chance of severe disease.
Dengue viruses are spread to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. Mosquitoes come out to feed around sunrise and sunset, but people can be bitten by an infected mosquito at any time.
Subscribe to Outbreak News TV on YouTube
Infection with dengue virus can result in no symptoms, mild, or severe illness. Severe dengue can be life-threatening within a few hours and requires care at a hospital.
The most common symptom of dengue is fever with any of the following: nausea, vomiting, rash, aches, and pains (including muscle, joint, or bone pain or eye pain, typically behind the eyes). There is no specific medicine to treat dengue virus infection.
About one in 20 people who get sick with dengue will develop severe dengue. Severe dengue can result in shock, internal bleeding, and even death. If you have had dengue in the past, you are more likely to develop severe dengue when re-infected with a different serotype, though severe disease can also occur on the first infection. Infants and pregnant women are at higher risk of developing severe dengue.
Support this newsblog with a paid subscription or with what you can at ko-fi
Watch for signs and symptoms of severe dengue. Warning signs usually begin in the 24-48 hours after your fever has gone away. Immediately seek medical evaluation if you have any of the following symptoms: belly pain or tenderness, vomiting (at least three times in 24 hours), bleeding from the nose or gums, vomiting blood, blood in your stool, or feeling tired, restless, or irritable. Do not delay seeking medical attention.