Costa Rica Health News – According to the Costa Rican Health Ministry, the Limon Province is where the most active transmission of the dengue virus is taking place this year. Matina is the town where the greatest number of dengue cases have been found: 309 so far this year.
Authorities reported 3,648 cases of dengue by June 21st and although this number is 71% lower than last year, it is still worrisome.
The Caribbean Zone is the most mosquito-infested area with more than 3 in 100 houses containing recognizable breeding grounds. This number indicates a very high risk and authorities recommend neighbors take actions to control the plague by eliminating breeding grounds such as any still water in houses and on the streets.
Dengue is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and causes intense body pain and high fever as well as diarrhea and vomiting in some cases. Cases seem to increase at the peak of winter or rainy season when still water becomes more common throughout the country.
80% of patients with dengue have been reported as living in Guanacaste, Limon and Puntarenas. Last year was reported as the worst epidemic of dengue in the past two decades and health officials want to keep the number down this year as much as possible, especially with the possibility of the chikungunya fever in the mix.
