Honduras has declared a national health emergency due to a significant increase in hospitalizations and deaths from dengue, announced by the health ministry on Friday. In the first 20 weeks of the year, the Honduran health ministry reported 23,037 suspected cases of dengue, one of the highest totals in the Americas. The entire region has experienced over 8.65 million cases in the first five months of 2024, nearly double the total number of cases reported in 2023.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne virus primarily spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is also known to transmit other viruses like yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika. The illness manifests with flu-like symptoms and can lead to death in severe cases. To stay informed with more news and updates on this outbreak, visit CNN.com and create an account for access to their latest reports and newsletters.
The surge in dengue cases across all departments and hospitals in Honduras prompted the declaration of an epidemic zone. Central America and the Caribbean are now entering their peak dengue seasons, with Brazil seeing a substantial decrease in infections while Mexico has reported over 69,000 cases this year. The Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization have advised countries in these regions to prepare for the increase by organizing health services to ensure proper clinical management and prevent complications.
The government has directed health officials to implement all necessary measures to address the outbreak, including prevention and control strategies and securing funding to manage the situation effectively. As CNN reports on this developing story, it’s essential to stay informed about any further developments or updates related to this outbreak by visiting their website regularly or signing up for their email newsletter service for regular updates on important public health issues around the world.
