Four new dengue deaths take total fatalities to 63

Santo Domingo.- At least four new dengue deaths have occurred in the country in recent weeks, taking the total to 63 fatalities, while the number of suspected cases jumped to 9,306, or 600 more than in the previous report.

According to Public Health Ministry figures to August 31, 65 percent of the cases occurred in Santiago, Santo Domingo, Espaillat, Puerto Plata and San Cristobal provinces and the National District.

The numbers show that the 134.8 likely cases per 100,000 people is 1.9 times higher that last year’s total reported 3,223 probable cases.

Dengue is transmitted by a mosquito which breeds in clean water, with a sudden fever the most characteristic symptom.

It’s estimated that less than 10 percent of patients with dengue show warning signs, and stomach pain its main symptom.