Dengue Fever

[COUNTRY EXPERT- JESSICA RAMESCH]

Hi everyone,

You may hear reports that dengue has achieved “epidemic” status in Panama. Actually, at around 3000, Panama has far fewer cases than Costa Rica, Colombia and Nicaragua (Panama’s worst areas are those closest to its borders with the former two…provinces of Bocas del Toro, Darien, etc., though the capital has also had cases).

For perspective, there is also dengue is Florida and Texas. California has an outbreak of the mosquito that causes dengue but no cases of the fever yet. Authorities had hoped to eradicate the mosquito that causes dengue but now all they can hope to do is contain it. (http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/11/5199802/dengue-fever-returns-in-florida-california-texas)

Brazil, Ecuador, and Mexico are experiencing dengue epidemics.

Some stats:

From Dengue in the Americas: Nearly 2.3 million cases, 1,244 deaths – The Global Dispatch

“In 2013 in North America, the United States accounted for all of the 505 dengue cases, while Mexico accounted for more than half the dengue cases reported in the Mexico and Central America region (221,271/405,148).

Colombia recorded more than half of all the cases in the Andean region of South America (119,856/213,245) and Brazil accounted for nine out 10 cases in the Southern Cone of South America (1,451,432/1,600,625).

In fact, Brazil recorded 63 percent of all dengue cases in the Western Hemisphere.”

From La Prensa de Panama:
Central America and Colombia
Dengue Cases
2013

Belize 93
Costa Rica 48,094
El Salvador 27,003
Guatemala 10,954
Honduras 37,666
Nicaragua 57,555
Panama 3,124
Colombia 117,624

About dengue (from the CDC):

“Dengue is caused by any one of four related viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. There are not yet any vaccines to prevent infection with dengue virus and the most effective protective measures are those that avoid mosquito bites. When infected, early recognition and prompt supportive treatment can substantially lower the risk of medical complications and death.”

Of the 3000+ cases in Panama in 2013 approximately .01% (3) resulted in death. Thus the virus is considered highly treatable. For perspective, compare to influenza (the flu) which “spreads around the world in seasonal epidemics, resulting in about three to five million yearly cases of severe illness and about 250,000 to 500,000 yearly deaths.”
Source: Influenza (Seasonal), World Health Organization, April 2009. Retrieved 13 February 2010.

I hope this helps clarify.

Regards,

[Author]

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