PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) – As the rainy season approaches, a period associated with a high incidence of diseases transmitted by flies, the Jalisco Health Secretariat (SSJ) presented a detailed report on the current state of dengue in the region. The SSJ emphasized its ongoing commitment to disease prevention, including home visits and eradication of Aedes aegypti mosquito breeding sites.
Héctor Hugo Bravo Hernández, General Director of the Jalisco Health Services OPD, expressed gratitude to the media for their role in circulating information and encouraging societal cooperation to diminish the risk of dengue outbreaks. “Let’s continue to prevent this disease as it is a priority issue. The current concern is the presence of four dengue serotypes, which are already prevalent in neighboring states. We are working tirelessly to ensure Jalisco remains free of these viruses,” said Hernández during a press conference.
Jalisco has made remarkable progress in managing the disease, currently ranking 22nd in the number of cases nationally, a significant improvement for a region that previously ranked much higher. This success is attributed to the consistent efforts of the AEDE and Vector programs.
Ana Gabriela Mena Rodríguez, General Director of Public Health of the SSJ, gave an overview of the situation in South America and Mexico. “We are entering a season where weather conditions will favor the proliferation of the vector. Therefore, we are relentlessly working throughout the year on this issue,” she explained. Rodríguez also emphasized the need for public awareness about the four dengue serotypes, DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4, noting that an individual could get infected more than once.
Recent data reveals a surge in dengue cases across Mexico, with the southeast region most severely affected. Despite Jalisco’s improved national ranking, Mena Rodríguez warned against complacency. “We must not let our guard down, especially given the current stormy weather and heat situation,” she cautioned.
Dengue fever manifests as a febrile, viral illness, with symptoms ranging from severe headache and high fever to nausea, vomiting, and rashes. Severe dengue symptoms include persistent vomiting, fast breathing, and bleeding gums or nose. Immediate medical attention is recommended for anyone presenting these symptoms.
At home, preventative measures are of utmost importance. José de Jesús Segura Arias, Director of Disease Control and Prevention of the OPD, emphasized the “Wash, Lid, Flip, and Throw” strategy to keep homes free of mosquito breeding grounds.
The SSJ has undertaken extensive promotion, prevention, and control actions against dengue in 2023. These include visiting over 1.2 million homes, conducting 25,491 training sessions, and eliminating over 3,700 tons of potential mosquito breeding sites.
In the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, efforts are underway in 410 neighborhoods, with approximately 95 thousand hectares being nebulized.
For more information, visit the official portal at https://aguasconeldengue.jalisco.gob.mx/, or download the Sin Dengue app to identify brigade members in the neighborhoods. For assistance, reach out to the Jalisco Health Line at 33 38 23 32 20.
