Dengue fever in Colombia (summary)

So far this year, the Ministry of Health has reported 69,524 cases of dengue fever. Slightly more than half of these cases have been reported by 57 municipalities in the departments of Valle del Cauca, Tolima, Santander, Meta, Norte de Santander, and Cundinamarca. There may be many more unreported cases of dengue since counting and reporting cases may be hampered by lack of local access to health care, and many persons with mild illness may not seek health care. Travellers to areas where the dengue fever virus is active can reduce their risk of exposure to dengue fever virus by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites.