2024-09-04 14:33:30
The Huila department is among the municipalities most affected by dengue in Colombia.
In view of the increasing incidence of dengue cases in the country, exacerbated by the climatic phenomena of El Niño and La Niña, the Ministry of Health has issued an urgent call to mayors, governors and territorial health entities to intensify prevention and control measures for this disease.
As of August 24, 2024, 253,200 cases of dengue have been confirmed in Colombia, with significant impact in departments such as Valle del Cauca, Santander, Tolima, Huila, Antioquia, among others..
Dengue, a viral disease transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, has claimed the lives of 115 people so far this year, with 206 additional deaths under investigation. Children and adolescents between 0 and 19 years of age represent 40.3% of confirmed deaths, with the 15 to 19 age group being the most affected. Adults over 70 years of age are also a vulnerable group, representing 20.1% of deaths.
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The Ministry of Health has reminded local authorities of the need to strengthen the control and prevention strategies established in Joint External Circular No. 0013 of 2023. This document establishes a Contingency Plan against dengue, focused on five lines of action: comprehensive contingency management, intensification of public health surveillance, health promotion and primary prevention, comprehensive case management, and risk communication.
Preventive measures for the population:
The Ministry has also urged citizens to adopt a series of preventive measures to reduce the risk of dengue transmission:
Water management: Avoid storing water unnecessarily; if you do, clean and cover water tanks regularly.
Elimination of breeding sites: Get rid of objects that collect water, such as tires and bottles, and keep gutters and drains free of obstructions.
Pet and plant care: Wash pet water bowls and change water for aquatic plants frequently.
Pay attention to the symptoms: Be alert to signs of dengue such as fever, pain behind the eyes and in the bones, and seek medical attention if any suspicious symptoms occur, avoiding self-medication.
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