NewsDesk @bactiman63

Malaria

According to preliminary data from the Health Surveillance Directorate of the Ministry of Health, during epidemiological week 18, malaria cases in the Huetar Caribbean Region continue to decline, accounting for one case in Limón and one in Pococí during said week.

Malaria life cycle/CDC

According to the epidemiological behavior of the disease, the canton of Limón during week 15 reported 20 cases of malaria, in week 16 six cases were registered, for week 17 five cases were reported and for week 18 only one case of malaria was recorded. malaria, evidencing a significant decrease in this canton.

In the same way, in the canton of Pococí a downward behavior of malaria cases is observed, counting 20 cases for week 15, week 16 reported 10 cases, during week 17 nine cases were registered and for week 18 reported a case of malaria. 

It is important to highlight that, during epidemiological week 18, no cases of malaria were registered in the cantons of Matina, Siquirres and Guácimo, however, the canton of Talamanca reported one case of malaria during said week.

The Ministry of Health continues to carry out containment actions in conjunction with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, such as exhaustive tracking of all people who have been in contact with confirmed cases, delivery of prophylactic treatment in different locations to patients positive for the disease cohabitants and thick blood smear control follow-up to determine the efficacy of medical treatment and thus detect possible relapses. 

Likewise, affected communities in the region are urged to use repellent, pants, long sleeves, and mosquito nets. Similarly, it is urged to facilitate the entry of duly identified officials from the Ministry of Health and the CCSS, who carry out sweeping house-to-house visits to detect people with symptoms, take rapid test samples, and prophylactically supply medications. , delivery of awnings and fumigation in the Caribbean sector. 

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Dengue

The Ministry of Health continues to monitor work on dengue cases in different areas such as Sarapiquí and Río Cuarto with the aim of educating the population and eliminating breeding sites.

Image by Koen One Stop Map from Pixabay

During the past week in the Sarapiquí area, fumigations were carried out in the towns of: Puerto Viejo, La Guaria, La Virgen, Rojo Maca and 4 Esquinas. For this week, the focal work continues in these same areas, which consists of the elimination or treatment of breeding sites and education of the population.

Given the declaration of an outbreak by the North Central Region, a total of seven officials were displaced to work in the town of Santa Rita and Río Cuarto, three fumigation cycles will be carried out and later the focal work will be extended to 100%.

For epidemiological week 16, a total of 1,179 cases of dengue were reported, with the Huetar Caribe and Central Sur regions presenting the most cases.

The population is reminded that if they present symptoms such as fever, malaise, muscle and/or joint pain, go to a health service and do not self-medicate, the alarm signs of a case of dengue may include abdominal pain and vomiting.

In addition, the population is urged to facilitate the entry of duly identified officials of the Ministry of Health, who carry out sweeping house-to-house visits to treat and eliminate breeding sites.