El Salvador: Dengue fever outbreak continues in Santa Ana department /update 1

Event

According to health officials in El Salvador, at least 1669 suspected cases of dengue fever, including 284 confirmed cases and three associated deaths, have been reported in Santa Ana department as of October 4. Public health measures, including fumigation campaigns and efforts to destroy mosquito breeding grounds, have been implemented throughout the department. Nevertheless, further spread of the disease is to be expected in Santa Ana over the coming weeks.

Context

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease found mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rash. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, enlargement of the liver, and hemorrhaging.

Advice

Individuals in Santa Ana department are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites (e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping under mosquito netting or in an air-conditioned room) and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds (e.g. small pockets of fresh water, such as rainwater that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).