Dengue Cases Soar in Mexico: 385% Increase Sparks Fear

Dengue cases in Mexico have surged by 385% this year, with deaths increasing fivefold. Experts predict the situation will worsen with the onset of summer and hurricane season, which began this week with storm Alberto. The Federal Ministry of Health recorded 17,016 confirmed dengue cases in the first 24 weeks of the year, a significant rise from 3,505 cases during the same period in 2023, according to the 'Dengue Epidemiological Panorama' report. The report also noted 26 deaths, a stark contrast to the five reported last year.

Southern Mexico, which accounts for over 60% of the country's cases, is particularly at risk. The region is bracing for a potentially severe dengue season due to the rainfall brought by 'Alberto', the first cyclone of the Atlantic season, and the usual seasonal rains.

The Oaxaca State Ministry of Health has initiated an emergency plan to combat the rising dengue cases. This includes intensified fogging campaigns to neutralize the rapidly reproducing mosquito population. The ministry reports 563 cases and 13 deaths under investigation this week. "We are witnessing a 338% increase. The mosquito has adapted to different temperatures and altitudes," warned Mayliz Esparza Castellanos, Chief of the Epidemiology Area of the Oaxaca Health Secretariat.

Residents are altering their routines to protect against mosquitoes. Hortencia Díaz, an 83-year-old food vendor, regularly uses insect repellent and allows authorities to fog her home with insecticide. "I'm using this all the time, it's just repellent. I don't want to die yet, I want to live a little longer," she said.