Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The Jalisco State Health Department (SSJ) has confirmed an alarming rise in dengue cases in the region, now reaching 11,238 confirmed cases, with four fatalities as of the latest epidemiological report. The disease, spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, has triggered a public health alert in the state, as it continues its upward trend.
The four fatalities linked to the outbreak include three male patients, aged 18, 63, and 22, and one female patient aged 31. The deceased were from Zapotiltic, Tlaquepaque, and Guadalajara, with two deaths reported in the latter. Health officials have reported comorbidities in two cases, with the 18-year-old having a history of multi-drug use and the 63-year-old suffering from diabetes mellitus.
The dengue epidemic has affected more than 99 municipalities across Jalisco, with Puerto Vallarta facing a particularly high concentration of cases. As of epidemiological week 42, the VIII Health Region, comprising Puerto Vallarta and nearby municipalities, has recorded 606 cases of dengue, placing intense strain on healthcare facilities and prompting calls for heightened preventive measures.
Concentration in Puerto Vallarta and Surrounding Municipalities
Puerto Vallarta alone has reported 482 confirmed dengue cases, making it the hardest-hit municipality within the VIII Health Region. Neighboring areas such as Talpa de Allende and Tomatlán have also shown significant infection rates, with 49 and 43 cases, respectively. Smaller outbreaks have been identified in Cabo Corrientes (19 cases), Mascota (10 cases), and San Sebastián del Oeste, which has registered three cases.
Prevention Efforts Hampered by Public Reluctance
The SSJ has expressed concerns over the limited success of intervention efforts due to widespread public reluctance toward home and property inspections. Health authorities emphasize the importance of cooperative community efforts in combating dengue transmission, urging residents to adopt the “Wash, Cover, Turn, and Throw” strategy in both residential and public spaces. This strategy involves thorough washing of containers that can accumulate water, covering water storage units, turning over any items that might collect rainwater, and throwing out any objects not in use to reduce potential mosquito breeding grounds.
Call for Community Action Against Dengue Breeding Sites
Officials stress that the most effective strategy to control the spread of dengue lies in preventing the formation of mosquito breeding sites. Mosquitoes require stagnant water to reproduce, making it essential for the public to remove or monitor objects that collect water, especially during the ongoing rainy season. Public health teams have reinforced these messages through community outreach, hoping to reduce mosquito larvae habitats by educating residents about the potential dangers of negligence in mosquito control.
With the public health alert in effect and continued upward trends in case numbers, health authorities in Jalisco remain vigilant. The SSJ urges the public to take precautions and participate actively in controlling the disease’s spread, as the risk of further transmission remains critical across the state.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The Jalisco State Health Department (SSJ) has confirmed an alarming rise in dengue cases in the region, now reaching 11,238 confirmed cases, with four fatalities as of the latest epidemiological report. The disease, spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, has triggered a public health alert in the state, as it continues its upward trend.
