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The Vector Control Unit will conduct its fogging programme in several Christ Church and St George districts this week, in its fight against mosquito-borne illnesses.

On Monday the team will spray Briar Hall Gardens Nos 1 to 3, Warners Terrace, Warners Park, Warners Park North, Vauxhall No 2, Vauxhall Gardens, Barracks Road, and surrounding areas.

The following day the Unit will target Adams Castle, Vauxhall, Sheraton Park, Elizabeth Park, and Regency Park.

It will be turn of Bartletts Tenantry, Sargeant’s Village, Browne’s Road, Garners Garden, Warners Garden, and Tino Terrace on Wednesday.

On Thursday Fort George Heights, South Ridge, Upton Terrace, Kent Ridge, Little Kent, The Grove, St David’s, and Staple Grove will be fogged.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude in St George and Christ Church, on Friday in Hanson Crescent Drive, South District, Watts Village, Boarded Hall, Lower Greys, Dayrells Hill, Valley Vista, and Frere Pilgrim.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Children should not be allowed to play in the spray. Members of the public are advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time.

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Santo Domingo – No active cases of monkeypox have been reported in the country at the moment; however, the Ministry of Public Health has informed that it is carrying out the corresponding studies to rule out some reports.
The information was released by the Minister of Health, Victor Atallah, who stated this Saturday that, despite the many reports, no specific case has been proven.

“All those that are reported to us we are informing them and doing the appropriate work,” said Atallah, while making the caveat that the oropouche is not found in Dominican territory and is a disease that is treated like any other vector-borne disease.

According to the minister, there is no need to travel to treat Oropouche, and the same measures will be followed against dengue.

“Oropouche is a disease that is current in many countries. We detected it because we did investigations in cases that were negative to dengue, and we searched, right now we do not have active cases, but we continue monitoring and falling back to the diseases,” he said.

The initiative, unveiled on Friday, aims to provide a structured yet supportive work environment where patients can receive training in various vocational skills, paving the way for their reintegration into society.

The project, designed to offer a structured yet supportive work environment for individuals with mental health challenges, will focus on skills such as carpentry, joinery, woodworking, furniture making, cabinetry, and furniture repair and refurbishment.

Maureen Graham, chairperson of the Legacy Foundation’s board of trustees, described the workshop as “a haven of opportunity” for hospital patients, and a critical component of the psychiatric hospital’s inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programme.

“We believe that investing in such programmes is not just an act of charity, but rather a fundamental responsibility,”
Graham told the brief ceremony to launch the initiative. “By modernising, retooling, and upgrading this workshop, we aim to create an environment where participants can develop skills, build confidence, and take meaningful steps towards reintegrating into society.”

David Leacock, director of the hospital, emphasised the crucial role of sheltered workshops in the recovery process, stating that they were a stepping stone on the journey to recovery for those with mental health challenges and disabilities. Leacock added that the workshops also allowed these individuals to rediscover their strengths and experience the dignity that comes with making a contribution to society.

“These workshops are not merely places of employment, they are a sanctuary for empowerment and transformation,” the hospital director said.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael, suggested that the initiative was a perfect example of the power of partnership. Collaborative efforts such as these, Ishmael said, were essential in helping vulnerable people. (SB)

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Santo Domingo – According to epidemiological reports from the Ministry of Public Health, the circulation of influenza A (H3N2) is the only respiratory virus detected this week during the sentinel surveillance in the country’s health facilities.

In its epidemiological bulletin 33, released yesterday, the Ministry of Public Health also reported a low incidence of dengue, malaria, and leptospirosis cases. It highlights that from 2023 to 2024, 1,724 new cases of hepatitis were reported to the surveillance system.

The report, which records cases up to August 17, reports that only one case of dengue was reported in the last week and that, to date, 1,032 confirmed cases of the disease have been registered. The provinces of Santiago, Puerto Plata, and Duarte account for 49% of those infected.
Dengue is a disease transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito and affects people of all ages. Symptoms range from mild to incapacitating fever, accompanied by intense headache, pain behind the eyes, pain in muscles and joints, and erythema.

Regarding malaria, the epidemiological report indicates that no new cases were reported in the last week and that 31,176 suspected cases have been reported so far this year, of which 718 have been confirmed. It indicates that the onset of symptoms has significantly decreased in the last three weeks compared to the previous three weeks.
The report also indicates that during the last week, only one suspected case of rosis was reported in a 15-year-old male resident of Santo Domingo. To date, 355 suspected cases have been reported, of which 31 have been confirmed. It notes that the most significant decrease in cases reported this year was recorded last week.

Hepatitis B and C
The Ministry of Public Health dedicated the edition of the epidemiological bulletin for week 33 to the topic “Advances of the HIV, STI, and Hepatitis Program in the Dominican Republic.””
It reports that from 2023 to 2024, 1,724 new cases of hepatitis have been reported to the surveillance system, with the most affected age group being female, aged 60 years or older.
This indicates that the five liver units report having approximately 650 patients treated with Hepatitis B.

The report states that in the Dominican Republic 2023, 1,724 cases of Hepatitis B and 1,001 cases of Hepatitis C were reported. Likewise, 557 births to mothers with Hepatitis B were reported.
It emphasizes that vaccination against hepatitis B is part of the Division of Immunopreventable by Vaccines (DIV) and is administered to all newborns, following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations. It also highlights the actions aimed at prevention and guaranteeing the treatment of patients that the country maintains.

Santo Domingo – Eliminating weeds from yards and gardens and keeping the surroundings of homes clean are among the recommendations made to the population by the Ministry of Public Health to avoid the presence of the mosquito and the culex mosquito, the two main vectors transmitting the Oropouche virus.

The virus, which has been spreading in different countries of the Americas region, was detected this week in the country in samples analyzed at the Dr. Defillo National Laboratory, which had initially tested negative for dengue.
Public Health reminds us that both vectors are present in the country, and the virus is transmitted through their bites. The symptoms of Oropouche are similar to those of dengue, including sudden fever, headache, joint stiffness, and, in some cases, double vision and persistent vomiting.

In the presence of these symptoms, health authorities advise the population to seek medical attention.

Use of mosquito nets
They also recommend mosquito nets during daytime naps, especially for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, infants, and people with immunocompromised conditions. They also recommend removing trash and cleaning environments, among other preventive measures similar to those for dengue.

By issuing an epidemiological alert for Oropouche this Wednesday, the Ministry of Public Health instructed the Provincial Health Directorates (DPS) to increase vector surveillance actions and continue educating the population on preventive measures, such as the use of mosquito nets and the elimination of mosquito breeding sites.

He reported that he coordinates with the National Health Service (SNS) to ensure the timely implementation of care protocols. Without treatment, clinical evaluation by professionals is crucial.
He recalled that there is no specific treatment for this disease, so he urged the population to seek immediate medical attention upon the appearance of these symptoms.

The countries in the Americas region where the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has identified cases are Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Cuba, and Colombia.

High fever
The incubation period of Oropouche disease is 3 to 10 days and usually begins with the abrupt onset of high fever, severe headache, chills, myalgia, and joint pain, which may initially be confused with dengue, chikungunya, Zika, or malaria.

Other symptoms of Oropouche include photophobia, dizziness, retro-orbital or ocular pain, nausea and vomiting, or a rash that starts on the trunk and spreads to the extremities. In four percent of cases, this rash can cause neurological manifestations.

Oropouche was first detected in 1955 near the river of the same name in Trinidad, followed by several outbreaks in Brazil towards the end of the last century.

Santo Domingo.- In a collaborative effort to tackle the escalating challenges of climate change, the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic, alongside the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (INDOMET), launched an innovative project today as part of the Climate Action Program 2030 (PACC). This initiative is designed to enhance the nation’s ability to respond to the adverse effects of climate change through cutting-edge technology and specialized training.

During a special visit to INDOMET headquarters, Executive Director Gloria María Ceballos and U.S. Embassy representatives launched a weather balloon equipped with advanced instruments to gather crucial atmospheric data. The balloon will measure atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity, playing a key role in improving the accuracy of climate predictions and responses to extreme weather events.

“This collaboration demonstrates the United States’ commitment to supporting the Dominican Republic in its fight against climate change,” said a U.S. Embassy representative at the event. “By enhancing INDOMET’s capacity to monitor and predict climate events, we are helping to protect the country’s most vulnerable communities.”

The 2030 Climate Action Program (PACC) aims to promote concrete actions for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the Dominican Republic, ensuring a safer and more sustainable future for all its citizens.

Source: RC Noticias

Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Public Health announced on Wednesday that no cases of monkeypox (mpox) have been reported in the country since last April.

In a statement, the agency clarified that a Haitian man who visited a health center in the province of Azua last Monday with a five-day fever and skin lesions was diagnosed with facial herpes zoster, not monkeypox. This conclusion was reached after a thorough medical evaluation and specific testing, which confirmed the presence of herpes zoster based on its characteristic symptoms, including localized skin papules and pustules.

The ministry emphasized that health authorities acted swiftly to rule out monkeypox and ensure the patient received appropriate care. This announcement was made to counter a video circulating on social media that falsely claims monkeypox is present in the country. The ministry also reassured the public that epidemiological surveillance has been heightened nationwide, following WHO recommendations, and that the country is equipped with vaccines and a prepared health system to address any potential outbreaks.

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