2023-08-31 18:52:00
“We have taken the decision to declare a state of health emergency at national level due to the situation,” Health Minister Francisco Coma announced at a press conference, adding that the measure would be in effect for three months.
According to Health Ministry data, 22 people died of dengue in the country between January and August. Additionally, 12,263 cases were reported, 152 percent more than the same period last year.
Why we should expect an invasion of mosquitoes in the coming weeks
The measure, which involves several public and private institutions, provides in particular for fumigations to try to eradicate mosquitoes carrying the disease.
“The importance of this intervention and of the inter-agency coordination is to prevent the increase in current cases”, underlined the undersecretary for civil protection, Walter Monroy, recalling that the worst epidemic of dengue fever in the country dates back to 2019. , with more than 50,000 cases.
Currently and until October, it is the rainy season in Guatemala. Mosquitoes carrying the disease lay eggs in stagnant water.
Dengue fever is characterized by high fever, intense headaches, retro-orbital pain, muscle and joint pain, nausea and vomiting, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
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