Growing dengue toll leads to red alert in Guatemalan tourist city

Guatemala City, Aug 30 (Prensa Latina) Health authorities reported on Wednesday a 152% rise in dengue cases in Guatemala, compared to 2022, leading to a red alert in Antigua Guatemala tourist city.

August 30, 2023
16:41

The most affected departments are Zacapa, Chiquimula, Peten, Escuintla, Quetzaltenango, Baja Verapaz, Sacatepequez, Jutiapa, Santa Rosa, Quiche, Jalapa and Izabal, according to experts.

Guatemala’s Public Health and Social Assistance Ministry (MSPAS) warned of the dengue situation in Antigua Guatemala municipality, Sacatepequez, through a letter addressed to the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INIGUAT).

“We need all citizens’ involvement from that territory to reduce the risk since dengue cases are also being reported that could be life-threatening,” the letter referred.

In a statement four days ago, the MSPAS reported 22 deaths from the virus in the nation, eight in Escuintla, seven in Chiquimula and three in Santa Rosa.

Experts agreed that current meteorological conditions are favorable for the reproduction of the Aedes aegypti mosquito and call for the adoption of the necessary actions.

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