Costa Rica: 2024 Dengue

[Shiloh]

Source: https://ticotimes.net/2024/02/08/cos...fever-outbreak

Costa Rica battles rising dengue fever outbreak
By Tico Times
February 8, 2024



The Costa Rican Ministry of Health reported that between January 21-27, 2024, there were 2,679 cases of dengue fever registered. This represents an increase of 298 compared to the same period last year in 2023.

Health experts also noted that, fortunately, there were no deaths recorded due to the disease.

The Health Surveillance Directorate highlighted that in epidemiological week number four, there was a surge of cases in the Central North region with 646 confirmed cases, followed by the Central South with 519, and the Central Pacific with 454 patients.

The cantons with the highest number of cases are Alajuela with 308 cases, San José with 236, Puntarenas with 218, Turrialba with 183, and Atenas with 94 cases.

Official data recorded 28,420 cases of dengue fever in 2023, with no deaths attributed to the disease, as 1,006,526 homes were fumigated, and 3,252,527 breeding sites were located during health inspections that year...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://ticotimes.net/2024/03/12/con...-in-costa-rica

Concerns Rise Over Dengue Spread in Costa Rica
By Tico Times
March 12, 2024

Costa Rican health authorities expressed their concern about the spread of dengue fever in the country. Weather conditions have contributed to the propagation of the disease. In recent weeks, the number of patients with this disease has increased. According to the Ministry of Health, a total of 5,400 cases have been registered so far this year.

The projection for the rest of the year will definitely depend on the behavior of the population, according to specialists. Awareness, education, and action are key to control the spread of dengue. Collaboration with local authorities, massive garbage collection, and elimination of breeding sites are important actions to avoid an increase in the number of cases.

“This year, we faced a significant increase in cases, with 2013 being our worst year with 49,950 cases. In comparison, last year registered 30,000 cases and, starting in the middle of the year, we began to see the circulation of new serotypes that we did not have,” explained Roberto Castro, Head of the Epidemiology Unit.

According to the expert, the situation may become more worrisome because, since last year, instead of circulating only two dengue serotypes, four are circulating. Each serotype is a different variety of the disease...