Situation
- The already high infestation
indices of Aedes aegypti have increased due to the recent intense rains
in Central America which have, along with other causes, contributed to what
can now be called an epidemic. In addition, new serotypes of dengue are circulating.
This has increased the risk of dengue hemorrhagic fever (a serious and fatal
form of dengue). The countries most affected by the epidemic at present are
El Salvador and Honduras which have both declared a state of emergency and
in which many different actors are responding.
- According to reports
from these countries’ health authorities, the situation is as follows:
- El Salvador:
From 14-20 July 2002, and following a persistent rising trend, the risk of
contracting a clinical form of dengue was 5.4 times greater than compared
to the same period last year. With regard to the hemorrhagic form of dengue,
the risk for the same period was 29.4 times greater, as compared to the same
period last year. The trend is characteristic of an epidemic. As of 1 August,
9 people have died, compared to 1 death during the same period of 2001.
The incidence through
13 July is 195 cases per 100,000 inhabitants; and the lethal coefficient
for hemorrhagic dengue is 3.41.
- Honduras:
Comparing data for the period 7-13 July 2002 against the data from the same
period for 2001, it is estimated that the risk of contracting a clinical form
of dengue is 3.58 times higher, and the trend is growing. The risk of contracting
a hemorrhagic form as compared to the same period the year before is 18.6
times higher, with a similar trend to that of El Salvador. To date there have
been 11 deaths reported during 2002.
The incidence through
30 June is 69 cases per 100,000 inhabitants; and the lethal coefficient
for hemorrhagic dengue is 1.47.
National Response
- Both countries are engaged
in surveillance, treatment, prevention and control activities. During the
last few weeks, there is concern that the epidemic will spread to other countries
in Central America.
- El Salvador, Guatemala
and Honduras have formed a Tripartite Technical Committee, which is preparing
a "Plan of Prevention and Control" that focuses on emergency situations and
sustainability in the areas of health services, surveillance, laboratories,
environmental health, education, and community and social participation. The
Committee has proposed standardizing definitions and treatments, exchanging
information and strengthening the technical groups that already exist in these
countries.
Contributions
- PAHO is collaborating
with all of the countries through its Country Representations and technical
programs, with information management, training material and the purchase
of equipment and supplies.
- El Salvador has received
support in the form of fumigation brigades from Mexico and medical doctors
from Cuba.
Requirements
- Honduras and El Salvador
submitted the financial requirements needed to deal with this epidemic and
PAHO has prepared an "Emergency Project to Combat the Dengue Epidemic
in El Salvador and Honduras." More information is available on the Internet
at www.paho.org/dengue/.
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