Global Courant 2023-05-23 10:13:50
The Ministry of Health is on alert due to the increase in dengue cases compared to 2022, since so far in 2023 2,706 have been reported, while in 2022 there were 1,175, that is, now there are 1,531 more cases in the same period.
In epidemiological week 18, the alarms are located in 14 departments, especially in Quetzaltenango, which has a rate of 71.4%, reporting 659 cases, while in the same time in 2022 it reported only 275.
Other departments on alert are Petén, Baja Verapaz, Zacapa, Jalapa, Chiquimula, Escuintla, Jutiapa, Santa Rosa, Retalhuleu, Suchitepéquez and Izabal.
Health Minister Francisco Coma recommended not leaving stagnant water, which attracts the insect.
“With the appearance of rain and stagnant water, we know that there will be a proliferation of the transmitter. Therefore, we ask people to try as much as possible not to keep stagnant water, ”he said on Monday, May 22.
Also read: Dengue: The cyclical behavior of the virus suggests that this year the cases may increase
In addition, he recommended that if they are going to store water in barrels, they should be adequately covered.
Coma called on the directors of the Health area to request and manage the acquisition of pesticides.
“They have the budget to deal with the acquisition of pesticides. It is necessary that they increase fumigation, ”he stressed.
He added that they hope that the fumigation actions and information campaigns will reduce the impact of the disease.
