Dengue Fever in Costa Rica – Down by 90% this year.
Compared to 2005, so far in 2006 the number of Costa Rica Dengue Fever cases is down by an enormous amount 90%
As of June 13th 2006 there have been 353 cases in comparison with 3,000 in the same period last year. For the entire year 2005 we had 9,287 cases of dengue but thankfully very few cases of the more dangerous, and sometimes deadly hemorrhagic dengue.
Last year the Ministry of Health warned that the actions of local citizens was NOT helping the problem, saying that citizens were to blame to a certain degree because the mosquito that transmits dengue fever reproduced in old tires, flowerpots and paint cans that lie around the neighborhood.
The chart below shows cases of dengue fever in Costa Rica for the previus year period last year as of June 2005 – Unfortunately this is the most up to date chart we could find however, it will give you a general idea of where dengue fever occurs most frequently:
-áDengue fever is an acute infection that is characterized by fever, rash and a variety of body pains. Thankfully, very few people have been reported with hemorrhagic dengue which is the most severe form of the disease that can be fatal.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito reproduces in clean, stagnant waters and where these can be found near humans in uncultivated lots, gardens and patios, it is recommended that you cover up or empty any container where water may accumulate.
The Caribbean also occasionally has cases of malaria which causes fever, shivers, sweat, cough, diarrhea and respiratory difficulties. 80% of the malaria cases are concentrated in the Lim+¦n area.
Malaria is a parasitic disease that is transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito which also reproduces in stagnant waters in the more humid zones of the Caribbean.
Our thanks to Vanessa Loaiza and our friends at La Nacion – Costa Rica’s largest Spanish circulation newspaper for their permission to use this article…
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Andrew Makarik
to@welovecostarica.comAndrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.
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