Dengue fever is running rampant in Costa Rica, prompting a coordinated effort by the Ministry of Public Health and other government agencies to calm the onslaught.
During the first six months of the year, Health Ministry statistics indicate there have been 6,870 cases of patients with dengue countrywide, exactly double the 3,435 cases reported during the same period last year.
The epidemic, which raged in 2005, resulting in over 37,000 people infected (TT, Aug. 6, 2005), settled down to a more manageable level in 2006 but seems to be swelling again this year.
According to Dr. Henry Wasserman, of the Health Ministry, the virus came on strong in the northwestern Guanacaste province early in the year, but has since settled to normal levels there. Limón, in the Caribbean, is now the most seriously affected province, with 856 confirmed cases thus far this year.
Doctors at Limón's Tony Facio Hospital report that more than 40 beds are occupied by dengue patients, putting excessive pressure on the hospital's resources and ability to handle patients with other ailments.
To date, 70 people have been infected with the more serious hemorrhagic dengue, which can result in death. Investigations are ongoing, but the Health Ministry suspects three people have died after being inflicted with the more serious dengue this year. |
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