Dengue fever in Mexico and Central America

The following countries are reporting continuing transmission of the dengue fever virus:

• Costa Rica - more than 10,000 cases; most affected areas are Atenas, Quepos, Parrita, Osa, Nandayure and Buenos Aires.
• El Salvador - 1 death.
• Guatemala - slightly more than 4,000 infected people.
• Honduras - 1 death.
• Mexico - more than 42,000 infected people with 10 deaths; most affected states are Guerrero, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Chiapas, Michoacán and Yucatán.

Advice

The absence of reports from other areas does not mean that there is no dengue fever transmission there. The risk of exposure will vary from place to place and may be high in many localities.

All travellers to areas where the dengue fever virus is active can reduce their risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Many persons with dengue fever do not seek medical care and are not reported to health authorities. There may be many more cases in the community than the reports indicate.