Deadly Dengue Outbreak Strikes Yucatan Peninsula

In the first week of May, the Yucatán Peninsula reported its third fatality due to the dengue virus. The death was linked to complications caused by the disease, which is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.

The death of a patient in northern Quintana Roo was confirmed in a weekly report by the Ministry of Health. The transmission of the virus remains persistent in this region.

In the first 136 days of the year, Quintana Roo is the only state on the peninsula to record deaths due to dengue. Two patients died in Cancun in the first week of April.

Currently, Quintana Roo ranks third nationally in dengue deaths, trailing only Guerrero and Morelos. It is also among the states with the highest number of confirmed cases.

The official report records 798 cases of dengue in the state. Cancun has a significant number of these cases, with 568 confirmed, primarily of the dangerous dengue serotype 3. Other municipalities with confirmed cases include Othón P. Blanco with 98 cases, Felipe Carrillo Puerto with 31, and Isla Mujeres with 9.

Dengue Cases Across the Yucatan Peninsula

Across the peninsula, Quintana Roo and Campeche have the most cases with 798 and 457 respectively, while Yucatán has only registered 166 cases. This brings the total number of dengue cases on the Yucatán Peninsula to 1,421.

The DEN-3 and DEN-2 dengue serotypes are currently circulating among the population and have caused health complications for those infected. The Yucatán Peninsula has reported 11 percent of the total accumulated cases in all of Mexico. Other states with a higher incidence of the disease include Guerrero, Tabasco, Veracruz, Colima, Michoacán, Chiapas, and Nayarit.

Confirmed Cases Down, Suspected Cases Up

Compared to last year, confirmed cases of dengue on the Yucatan Peninsula have decreased by 3 percent. However, there are more than 10,000 patients who are probable cases, suggesting the figures could be higher.

Diagnosing dengue is based on a series of symptoms that the patient reports. Without a laboratory test, it's difficult to confirm a case as positive, as the symptoms could indicate other conditions.

Quintana Roo and Campeche lead the list of suspected cases with 6,514 and 2,450 respectively, while Yucatán has registered 1,681 cases. This brings the total number of suspected dengue cases on the Yucatan Peninsula to 10,645.

State Health Department Urges Prevention

The Quintana Roo State Health Services are promoting dengue prevention by focusing on home cleaning to eliminate possible mosquito breeding sites. The department urges the public to cover household water storage units, wash vases and pet drinkers before changing the water, and turn over buckets and tubs that are not in use.

According to the Sesa, up to week 18, 276,605 homes have been visited for larval control, and 79,358 hectares have been fogged throughout the state. They have blocked 1,687 probable cases, certified 132 homes and 118 buildings as free of mosquito larvae breeding sites, and have eliminated a total of 410.22 tons of useless containers or trash that accumulated water, representing potential mosquito breeding sites.

Dengue Statistics

Confirmed deaths:

• Quintana Roo: 3

Confirmed cases by region:

• Quintana Roo: 798
• Campeche: 457
• Yucatán: 166

Suspected cases by region:

• Quintana Roo: 6,514
• Campeche: 2,450
• Yucatán: 1,681