Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) – The Health Ministry recently communicated alarming developments in the epidemic of Dengue in Costa Rica. Of 12,885 cases of infection reported, 38 are suffering from acute fever and haemorrhage which can cause death if it not treated with proper care. In the first nine months of 2003 figures of infected persons rose above the 12,251 cases registered in 2002 with 27 haemorrhage cases. It is estimated that medical centres in Costa Rica admit about 600 new cases every week. Coastal regions are the most affected areas and the authorities are concerned that the approaching rainy season will cause the spread of the mosquito carried Dengue fever since the Aedes aegypti mosquito reproduces in stagnant water. AP (Fides Service 13/10/2003 EM lines 15 Words: 158)
