Costa Rica health officials warn the public after recent dengue fever surge
Health officials are advising the public to be on the alert for dengue fever after a recent surge in cases in Guanacaste during the past three weeks, according to a Inside Costa Rica report today.
They say the areas most affected by the mosquito borne disease include Liberia, Santa Cruz, Abangares, Nicoya and Carillo.
The health ministry reports that Santa Cruz was the hardest hit area reporting at least 75 new cases.
Thirty-four of the 200 cases were considered “severe” , where the patients required hospitalization.
Besides the Guanacaste cases, infections have also been reported in Puntarenas, Limon, Pococí, Sarapiqui and San Pablo de Heredia.
The report notes that the Ministry of Health has confirmed 505 infections of the dengue virus across the country this week. There have been just over 15,000 people infected so far this year.
Dengue fever is a disease caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses (DENV 1, DENV 2, DENV 3, or DENV 4). The viruses are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito.
The principal symptoms of dengue fever are high fever that lasts from 2 to 7 days, severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, joint pain, muscle and bone pain, rash, and mild bleeding.
More serious and life threatening forms of dengue include dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHS) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).
There is no vaccine for prevention of dengue fever and no specific medication for treatment of a dengue infection.
Prevention of dengue fever includes methods of avoiding mosquito bites:
- Drain standing water around your house
- Use spray with DEET if you go outside
- Dress in cloths that cover most of your skin
- Try not to go out a lot during dusk and dawn
For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
