The global incidence of dengue has increased significantly over the past two decades and Latin America is the region where 80% of the world’s cases are reported.
The Guatemalan government declared a national epidemiological alert this Thursday to contain dengue, which has caused three deaths and nearly 7,000 cases so far this year.
“The onset of the season increases the prevalence of dengue in the country,” the health ministry said in a statement.
The resolution “establishes actions such as epidemiological surveillance, ordering the application of protocols for detection, notification and registration of cases in hospitals and health sectors.”
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“Guatemala has recorded 6,760 cases of dengue as of February 17. Of these, 31 cases of severe dengue have been reported, including 3 deaths,” the ministry said.
According to the note, the global incidence of dengue has increased significantly over the past two decades and Latin America is the region where 80% of the world’s cases are reported.
Dengue killed 118 people and caused nearly 65,000 cases in Guatemala last year, according to official figures, exceeding the record set in 2019, when there were more than 50,000 cases.
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Dengue is a disease found in tropical regions that causes high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and, in the most severe cases, bleeding which can lead to death.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in April 2023 that dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases were becoming more widespread due to climate change.