01/09/2023
HEALTH ALERT
The Embassy of the United States of America
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Health Alert: National Health Emergency Declared in Guatemala Due to Dengue Epidemic (September 1, 2023)
Location: Throughout Guatemala
Event: Guatemala's Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) declared a National Health Emergency on August 31, 2023, due to a dengue epidemic in Guatemala. Over the last three months more than 10,000 cases of dengue have been reported in the country, including the more severe (often called hemorrhagic) cases.
To date, there have been 12,263 confirmed dengue infections in Guatemala, of which 14 percent (or 1,720 cases) are severe dengue. There have been 22 deaths reported, the majority among children under age 15. Thus far, the areas with the highest incidence of dengue are Zacapa and Antigua, followed by Chiquimula, Petén, Escuintla, Quetzaltenango, and Baja Verapaz.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have provided the following information about dengue on their website :
Dengue
Dengue viruses are spread to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. Dengue is caused by one of any of four related viruses (dengue virus 1, 2, 3, and 4), all of which have been present in Guatemala. The same type of mosquitoes can also spread Chikungunya, Zika, and other viruses. If a person is infected with different dengue viruses during their life, it increases the chance of severe disease.
Aedes mosquitoes typically lay eggs in containers with standing water, like buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flowerpots, and vases. Mosquitoes come out to feed around sunrise and sunset, but people can be bitten by an infected mosquito at any time during the day or night. Aedes mosquitoes often like to rest in closets or other indoor locations near humans.
Symptoms of Dengue Fever
Infection with dengue virus can result in no symptoms or mild or severe illness. Severe dengue can be life-threatening within a few hours and requires care at a hospital.
The most common symptom of dengue is fever with any of the following: nausea, vomiting, rash, aches, and pains (including muscle, joint, or bone pain, or eye pain, typically behind the eyes). There is no specific medicine to treat dengue.
About one in 20 people who get sick with dengue will develop severe dengue. Severe dengue can result in shock, internal bleeding, and even death. If you have had dengue in the past, you are more likely to develop severe dengue when re-infected. Infants and pregnant women are at higher risk of developing severe dengue.
Watch for signs and symptoms of severe dengue. Warning signs usually begin in the 24-48 hours after your fever has gone away. Immediately seek medical evaluation if you have any of the following symptoms : belly pain or tenderness, vomiting (at least three times in 24 hours), bleeding from the nose or gums, vomiting blood, blood in your stool, or feeling tired, restless, or irritable.
Actions to Take:
Consult the CDC website for more information about dengue transmission, testing, symptoms, and treatment, and mosquito control.
Seek medical treatment if experiencing any warning signs or any symptoms that cause you concern.
Outside your home, remove standing water where mosquitoes may lay eggs, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers.
Inside your home, empty any items that hold water, such as vases or flower pot saucers.
Close windows and doors, or ensure you have screens in place. Consider using an indoor insecticide if you have mosquitoes in your home.
Use mosquito repellent when outdoors. Repellents with DEET or picaridin give the longest protection, but there are many effective options available .
Support:
US Embassy Guatemala City, Guatemala
Website: https://gt.usembassy.gov/
Phone: (502) 2354-0000
Email: [email protected]
State Department - Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Guatemala Country Information and Travel Advisory Page
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Health Alert: National health emergency declared in Guatemala due to dengue epidemic (September 1, 2023)
Location : Throughout Guatemala
Event: The Guatemalan Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) declared a National Health Emergency on August 31, 2023, due to a dengue fever epidemic in Guatemala. During a three-month period, more than 10,000 cases of dengue have been reported in the country, including a more serious outbreak (known as dengue hemorrhagic fever).
To date, 12,263 dengue infections have been confirmed in Guatemala, of which 14% (or 1,720 cases) are severe dengue. So far, the areas with the highest incidence of dengue are Zacapa and Antigua, followed by Chiquimula, Petén, Escuintla, Quetzaltenango, and Baja Verapaz.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided the following information on dengue on its website :
About dengue
The dengue virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. Dengue is caused by one of four related viruses (dengue virus 1, 2, 3, and 4), all of which are present in Guatemala. The same types of mosquitoes can spread Chikungunya, Zika, and other viruses. If a person has been infected with different dengue viruses in their lifetime, the risk of severe illness increases.
Aedes mosquitoes generally lay eggs in standing water such as buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flower pots, and vases. Mosquitoes come out to feed at dawn, dusk, and at night, but one can be bitten by an infected mosquito at any time of the day or night. Aedes mosquitoes often like to stay inside closets or other indoor locations in your home and around humans.
dengue symptoms
Dengue virus infections may not cause any symptoms or may cause mild or severe illness. Severe dengue can be life-threatening within hours and requires medical attention.
The most frequent symptom of dengue is fever accompanied by any of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, skin rash, pain (muscular, joint, bone, and eye pain, usually behind the eyes). There is no specific medicine to treat dengue.
At least one in 20 people with dengue will develop severe dengue. Severe dengue can cause shock, internal bleeding, and even death. If you have had dengue in the past, you are more likely to develop severe dengue. Babies and pregnant women are more at risk of developing severe dengue.
Be aware of the signs and symptoms of severe dengue. Warning symptoms usually begin within 24-48 hours after the fever is gone. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms : belly pain or tenderness, vomiting (at least three times in 24 hours), bleeding from the nose or gums, vomiting blood, blood in the stool, or feeling sick. tiredness, weakness, or irritability.
Measures to take
See the CDC website for more information on dengue transmission, testing, symptoms and treatment, and mosquito control.
Seek medical treatment if you are experiencing any of the warning symptoms or any other symptoms that cause concern.
Outside your home, remove standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs such as tires, buckets, flower pots, toys, swimming pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash bins.
Inside your house, empty all objects that contain water such as vases or saucers from flower pots.
Close windows and doors or make sure you have mosquito screens. Consider using an indoor insecticide if you have mosquitoes in the house.
Use mosquito repellent when you are outside. Repellents with DEET (chemical name, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) or picaridin give the most protection, but other effective options are available .
Attendance:
Embassy of the United States in Guatemala City
Website: https://gt.usembassy.gov/
Phone: (502) 2354-0000
E-mail: [email protected]
Consular Affairs - Department of State
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Guatemala information and travel advisories
Sign up for security notices through STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program)
The mission of the U.S. Embassy is to advance the interests of the United States, and to serve and protect U.S. citizens in [country].
