2024-05-04 15:01:23
What is happening with dengue in Guatemala? The Central American country declared a national emergency for these reasons.
According to the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS), between January and April of this 2024, 14,697 cases of dengue have been registered in Guatemala.
In order to prevent dengue from spreading throughout the country and leaving more people affected, Guatemala declared this Tuesday, April 30, 2024, a national emergency for these reasons.
What is happening with dengue in Guatemala?
According to the latest MSPAS report, Between January and April of this year, 14,697 cases of dengue have been registered in Guatemala.
In recent weeks, there have been reports 19 cases of severe dengue and, unfortunately, 9 people have lost their lives in the first four months of the year.
Los most affected departments for dengue in Guatemala are:
- Zacapa
- Jutiapa
- Progress
- Santa Rosa
The MSPAS indicated that During 2023, 118 people died from denguewhich meant a six-fold increase more than the 16 deaths recorded in 2022.
These are the reasons why Guatemala declares a national emergency due to dengue
This April 30, 2024, Guatemala declared a national emergency due to dengue in the country.
The reasons for this is to combat the disease transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegyptiwhich affects all age and sex groups.
The declaration of national emergency is intended to mitigate damage and control environmental risk factorswhich requires joint and coordinated work to counteract dengue in Guatemala.
The MSPAS requested the support of all organizations and institutions (public or private) that are dedicated to the health sector so that they coordinate with the ministry.
In this way, the following actions will be carried out jointly, in accordance with the competence of each:
- epidemiological surveillance
- outbreak investigation
- etmological surveillance for the implementation of integrated management strategies for the Aedes aegypti vector
Likewise, the government of Guatemala expressed that they will promote prevention and health promotion actions to reduce morbidity among Guatemalans.
It is essential that, to carry out health actions and measures, health sector entities provide the respective collaboration with the provision of necessary resources such as human resources, vehicles, financial resources, supplies such as insecticides, larvicides and nebulization pumps.
The Health Ministry reiterates to the population that it is working tirelessly to counteract the risks of dengue, and calls on Guatemalan families to follow preventive measures to avoid dengue in their homes.
MSPAS statement on the declaration of national emergency due to dengue
2024-05-04 15:01:23