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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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday reported 21 cases of Oropouche virus disease, also known as sloth fever, in travelers returning from Cuba.

Twenty cases have been reported in Florida and one in New York.

The disease is spread primarily through bites from midges and from some mosquitoes. Symptoms of the disease include headache, fever and muscle aches and joint pains, but the virus is rarely fatal. 

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There is no indication that the virus is spreading in the U.S. but health officials are warning doctors to be on the lookout for infection in travelers coming from Cuba and South America.

Most patients returning from Cuba reported their symptoms between May and July.

Overall, three patients were hospitalized, and no deaths were reported, the CDC said in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

A dire economic crisis in Cuba has made it difficult to control the spread of Oropouche. Frequent power outages mean many sleep with windows open during the hot Caribbean summer. Few Cubans have access to insect repellents, and fumigation efforts have been stymied by fuel shortages.

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Earlier this month, the CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about an increase in Oropouche virus disease in the Americas region. 

The virus is endemic to the Amazon basin and more than 8,000 cases have been reported in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Cuba so far this year, including two deaths, and five cases of vertical transmission, where viruses can pass between mother and fetus.

The CDC has recommended that pregnant women avoid non-essential travel to Cuba and suggested all travelers take steps to prevent bug bites, such as using insect repellents and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Currently, there are no vaccines available for the disease and treatment for symptoms can include rest, fluids and use of analgesics and antipyretics.

People can become infected when visiting these forested areas and getting bitten. They can then introduce the virus to urban areas, where biting midges and certain mosquitoes spread the virus from person to person.

Approximately 60% of people infected with Oropouche virus become symptomatic, according to the CDC. The incubation period is typically three to 10 days.

It has sometimes been called sloth fever because scientists first investigating the virus found it in a three-toed sloth, and believed sloths were important in its spread between insects and animals. 

The virus was first detected in 1955 in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. 

A disease transmitted by mosquitoes — the Oropouche virus, also known as sloth fever — has been detected in the United States.

Travelers returning to the U.S. from Cuba contracted the virus in recent months, as reported by The Associated Press. No fatalities have been reported.

The Oropouche virus is endemic in the Amazon basin and has also been reported in South America and the Caribbean.

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More than 8,000 cases were reported globally between Jan. 1 and Aug. 1, 2024, including two deaths and five cases of transmission from mother to fetus, the CDC noted in an Aug. 16 advisory.

Sloth fever has been reported in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Cuba. 

So far, 11 cases have been identified in travelers returning from Cuba and Brazil, the CDC stated.

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"Although travel-associated cases have been identified in the United States, no evidence of local transmission currently exists within the United States or its territories," the agency said.

"As testing and surveillance for Oropouche virus disease increase in the Americas, reports of cases from additional countries are expected."

The Oropouche virus first emerged in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955. 

Since then, it has had "limited circulation" in regions of South America, particularly in forested areas, according to the CDC.

The disease is typically spread through bites from mosquitoes and midges (small flies, particularly the Culicoides paraensis species).

Three-toed sloths and birds have been identified as "natural reservoirs" for Oropouche, which means they act as hosts of the disease.

"The virus doesn't spread from person to person," Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, confirmed to Fox News Digital.

"There is some risk to the fetus in terms of birth defects."

Oropouche, classified as an arbovirus, is often mistaken for other similar viruses, like Zika, dengue, chikungunya and malaria, according to the CDC.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, muscle aches, stiff joints and chills.

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Some may develop a rash that begins on the torso and spreads to other body parts.

Symptoms usually begin within four to eight days of being bitten, and last for three to six days.

"Symptoms can abate and reoccur," Siegel noted.

In severe cases, patients may develop meningitis, encephalitis or other "neuroinvasive" diseases, the CDC stated.

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For those patients, symptoms can include intense headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, lethargy, stiff neck and involuntary eye movements. 

"Around 4% of patients develop [neurologic symptoms] after the first febrile illness," Siegel said.

Most people who contract Oropouche will recover on their own without any long-term effects, the CDC stated.

"There are no vaccines for prevention and no treatments," Siegel said.

The best means of prevention is to avoid bites from midges and mosquitoes, according to experts.

"People are advised to take preventive measures, including the use of repellents, clothing that covers legs and arms, and fine mesh mosquito nets, and to take extra precautions during outbreaks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women," the Pan American Health Organization advised in an alert.

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Supportive care can include rest, fluids and medication to reduce fever and alleviate pain.

"Patients who develop more severe symptoms should be hospitalized for close observation and supportive treatment," the agency stated.

Those who are experiencing symptoms and have risk factors can contact their local health department for testing.

"Clinicians in these areas where importation has occurred may not be familiar with this infection and need to be alert to its possibility," Dr. Amesh Adalja, M.D., an infectious disease expert at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Baltimore, told Fox News Digital.

Fox News Digital reached out to the CDC for comment.

Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Health issued an epidemiological alert after detecting the presence of the Oropouche virus in stored samples, although there are currently no active cases in the country. The virus, which can cause symptoms such as sudden fever, headache, joint stiffness, and in severe cases, double vision and persistent vomiting, was found in tests conducted at the Dr. Defillo National Reference Laboratory. The Ministry did not disclose the exact number of positive samples.

Oropouche is transmitted through the bite of insects like the “jején” and the Culex mosquito, both of which are present in the Dominican Republic. In response, health authorities have ramped up surveillance and are urging the public to take preventive measures, including the use of mosquito nets, eliminating mosquito breeding sites, and removing stagnant water.

Health Minister Víctor Atallah emphasized the importance of following Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) guidelines and educating the population on prevention, especially targeting vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, and immunocompromised individuals. At the regional level, over 8,000 cases have been reported this year in countries like Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru, with two deaths attributed to the virus.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a public health advisory on Wednesday addressing the mental health and well-being of parents.

The advisory, which is reserved for "significant public health challenges that require the nation’s immediate awareness and action," discussed various factors that cause stress for parents and noted an urgent need for support.

"Parents have a profound impact on the health of our children and the health of society," Murthy wrote in a statement posted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

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"Yet parents and caregivers today face tremendous pressures, from familiar stressors such as worrying about their kids’ health and safety and financial concerns, to new challenges like navigating technology and social media, a youth mental health crisis, and an epidemic of loneliness that has hit young people the hardest," he went on. 

"As a father of two kids, I feel these pressures, too."

In the 30-page advisory, Murthy called for a "fundamental shift" in prioritizing the mental health and well-being of parents. 

"I am also outlining policies, programs and individual actions we can all take to support parents and caregivers," he said.

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Thirty percent of parents reported high levels of stress in the past month, compared to 20% of other adults, according to the advisory.

Severe stress can have "a deleterious effect," Murthy wrote — as 41% of parents reported that most days, they experience so much stress that they cannot function, while 48% said their stress is "completely overwhelming" on most days.

The COVID-19 pandemic was cited as a contributor to stressors among parents and caregivers, as well as financial stability, concerns for health and safety, management of tech and social media, parental loneliness, cultural pressures and their children’s future.

School safety concerns among parents are particularly high, as firearm-related injury has become the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the U.S.

Many parents also face circumstances such as family or community violence, poverty, and racism and discrimination, all of which can impact mental health.

"Both maternal and paternal mental health conditions are shown to impact the well-being of children," the advisory noted. 

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"Maternal mental health conditions have been found to significantly impact a child’s well-being and environment, and can serve as a critical determinant of child outcomes."

The surgeon general intends to "take steps to mitigate stress at every stage" for parents and caregivers, he said. 

Murthy’s advisory encouraged governments and employers to establish programs to ensure that parents have access to affordable mental health care, paid family and medical leave, and other family services.

The surgeon general also encouraged schools and communities to provide support services and groups to help parents manage stress.

Robin Hilmantel, senior director of editorial strategy and growth at What to Expect, part of Everyday Health, told Fox News Digital that this advisory "feels like a long-overdue acknowledgment of what has been obvious for a while now: Parents are struggling."

A What to Expect survey of more than 3,000 women found that more than two-thirds of moms (68%) experience anxiety, while 79% of Gen Z moms reported the same.

"There are a lot of reasons why being a parent today is so challenging — parenthood is isolating, as 76% of moms say they don’t have enough support in the form of a 'village,'" said Hilmantel, who is based in North Carolina.

"There’s also a culture of comparison for today’s parents — 83% of Gen Z moms say they feel pressure to be a perfect parent," she added. 

Some other top parental stressors, according to the survey, include safety, lack of time for themselves, finances and children's development.

"Remember that you’re not alone if you feel overwhelming stress; other parents are dealing with their own stressors," Hilmantel said. 

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"What you see on social media is often a highlight reel, so you definitely shouldn’t feel bad about your parenting based on anything you see online."

The expert suggested that parents should try to "cultivate a network of friends, family and acquaintances."

"Parents can add people to their village by attending in-person meetups where they can connect with other new parents, and by joining online communities where parents can openly discuss anything they’re struggling with," she said.

Hilmantel added that there is "no shame in directly asking family and friends for help."

Santiago, DR.- The Metropolitan Hospital of Santiago (HOMS) recently performed its first awake brain tumor surgery, demonstrating that Dominican neurological medicine is on par with that of developed countries. This specialized technique underscores HOMS’ dedication to delivering advanced medical solutions focused on patient safety and well-being.

The procedure was led by neurosurgeon Dr. Francisco Matos Ureña, who emphasized the benefits of this approach, including minimal bone removal and reduced risk of damage to surrounding brain tissue, thereby preserving the patient’s quality of life. Prior to the surgery, the 36-year-old patient, who had a tumor in a critical brain area affecting speech, comprehension, and movement, underwent thorough psychological, neuropsychological, and neurophysiological evaluations.

Awake brain surgery is often used for treating certain neurological conditions, such as tumors or epilepsy, especially when the tumor is located near areas critical to speech and motor functions. Keeping the patient conscious allows the surgical team to monitor cognitive functions in real time, reducing the risk of impairing essential abilities. This milestone procedure represents a significant advancement in neurosurgery at HOMS, offering a safer alternative to traditional methods that carry a higher risk of motor function loss.