The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – The Ministry of Health of Costa Rica declared by health alert because of the increased cases of dengue, which now has reach 11,672, four times more than the same period last year.
Costa Rican Health Minister, Daisy Corrales, told reporters that this warning will strengthen health services across the country and strengthen the work of elimination of breeding sites of Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the virus.
The area’s most affected by dengue so far this year are the communities of the Pacific coast as Parrita and Quepos, Puntarenas province, and southern and Perez Zeledon Costa Rica.
Authorities are also concerned that just starting the rainy season from May to November, and that is when traditionally there are more patients with dengue, because the mosquito breeds in stagnant water.
Dengue, which causes fever, body aches and even death in its most aggressive variety, appeared in Costa Rica in 1993 and since then has caused 22 deaths, two of them this year.
Official data show that in 2012 there were 26,808 cases of dengue, which was almost double the 13,854 patients, 2011.
The 26,808 patients in 2012 were the fourth highest amount in the history of Costa Rica, overtaken by ill 37,214 in 2005, 28,687 in 2007 and 36,351 in 2010.
Last year dengue virus caused costs to state health system of Costa Rica for about $ 9.5 million between hospitalizations, disabilities and medical consultations.
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose Costa Rica
