Dengue cases in Comayagua increase by 43% compared to 2022

Two deaths and 339 positive cases have been recorded in the first six months of this year in the Comayagua department. Health authorities have initiated cleaning operations in areas with high infection rates.

Comayagua-Honduras. Dengue-related illnesses have alarmingly surged in the first six months of this year in the Comayagua department, significantly surpassing the figures from 2022.

According to the epidemiological bulletin from the Sanitary Region, a total of 339 dengue cases have been registered from January to June of this year, exceeding last year’s 192 cases during the same time period.

In other words, there are 147 more cases this year than the previous year. This figure places the department in an epidemic zone for dengue.

Just last week, 61 cases were reported in the municipality of Comayagua, seven in La Libertad, three in Taulabé, and one in Siguatepeque.

Up to date, Health authorities have confirmed two deaths due to dengue, both males, one aged 16 and the other 23, residents of the city of Comayagua.

Based on the last five weeks, an average of 7 to 12 people with symptoms of this disease have been recorded.

«We have been notified of two deaths due to severe dengue, one 16 years old and the other 23. We are investigating how these cases occurred, so we urge the population to support us in this fight because we have three potential breeding sites at home: containers, barrels, and buckets, not to mention stagnant rainwater,» stated Allan Izaguirre, epidemiologist of the Sanitary Region.

Students at risk

Izaguirre mentioned that 80% of the infected individuals are minors, which is why they recently met with school owners and directors to prevent mosquito breeding sites in educational centers.

Reports from Environmental Health Technicians indicate that there are schools reporting seven to ten students with dengue symptoms.

In response to this situation, Mariano Boquin, the departmental director of education, announced that with the support of health personnel, they will initiate fumigation campaigns in kindergartens, schools, and public and private colleges.

«We have met with Health authorities and they informed us about the current situation, which concerns us. Therefore, we will join the fumigation and mosquito breeding site elimination efforts within and outside school buildings to prevent infections among students,» said Boquin.

Operations

During the weekend, health personnel, with the support of students from the Technical Police Institute (ITP), carried out fumigation and larvicidal operations in neighborhoods and districts with high case incidence rates in the city of Comayagua.

The goal was to inspect around 1,400 homes in seven neighborhoods, including Fuerzas Armadas, Los Almendros, La Zarcita, La Julio Cesar Pinto, La Guama, La Concepción, and La Sabana.

At the end of the operation, dozens of houses with mosquito larvae in containers and barrels were identified, posing a health risk to families.

«It was a tremendous effort, involving more than 200 ITP students, eliminating useless deposits that were active in homes and posed a danger to their inhabitants,» declared Selvin Chavaría, municipal coordinator of Environmental Health.

This week, health authorities will continue coordinating to carry out cleaning operations in other sectors of the city of Comayagua and other municipalities.E.P.Com.