Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader addressed the Haitian crisis’s impact on the Dominican Republic during a recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Abinader highlighted the strain the situation places on the Dominican Republic’s migration, health, and education systems.

At a press conference, Abinader noted that approximately 6.5% of the Dominican Republic’s students, around 147,000, are of Haitian nationality. He also revealed that Haitian migrants account for 14% of hospitalizations and 34% of births in public hospitals, a situation he claimed is unprecedented in global health systems.

Abinader expressed concern over the increased migratory pressure resulting from the crisis, which affects public services and poses security risks. He emphasized the need for additional support from the multinational security support mission (MCS) and resources to strengthen the UN trust fund. The President also highlighted the importance of renewing the MCS mandate in October.

He reiterated the Dominican Republic’s commitment to working with the United States on regional security and stability, while acknowledging differences in perspectives on certain issues.

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.

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, DR – President Luis Abinader said today that the Dominican Republic has reduced malnourishment by 45% in terms of food, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The president assured that the country has managed to reduce the percentage of the undernourished population from 8.3% in the 2018-2020 period to 4.6% in the 2021-2023 period.

After highlighting other advances, Abinader pointed out that employment today registers a record number of active workers in the labor market and that unemployment has been reduced to 5% during the last three years.

The president said that the average minimum wage has grown 14% above inflation, thus improving the purchasing power of Dominican workers.

“It is no coincidence, therefore, that the Dominican Republic is today in the category of High Human Development in the United Nations index, and that in recent years we are one of the few countries in the world that have climbed positions,” he said when he was sworn in for a new presidential term.

He said that in 3, the Dominican Republic’s GDP per capita reached US$11,200, “consolidating us as a middle-income economy.”

AGRICULTURE WILL BE A PRIORITY

Regarding agriculture, the president stressed that the goal is full development and support and that strengthening the agricultural sector will continue to be a priority of the government.

He indicated that the agricultural policy he has implemented has been fundamental to guaranteeing the country’s food security and maintaining producers’ profitability.

He pointed out that according to the United States Department of Agriculture, for the first time, in the current year 2024, the country will exceed US$1,800 million in exports of agricultural goods to that country, including beef, whose market has been reopened after being closed for more than 20 years.

However, he specified: “I am aware that the impact of extreme atmospheric phenomena on our agriculture as a result of Climate Change, forces us to dedicate more and more resources to the development of infrastructures and technologies that contribute to strengthening the resilience that our agricultural sector has shown to have and increase the efficiency and productivity of the resources we dedicate to it.”

He maintained that financing has been a critical piece of agricultural policy in his administration.

He added that the credit program with rates and conditions adapted to agriculture has made it possible to position agriculture as one of the economic activities that attracts the most investment and development in the country and that this new government will continue to strengthen credit and channel the resources required to guarantee the profitability and sustainability of agriculture.

Santo Domingo—The government informed that, through the Ministry of Public Health and the National Health Service (SNS), it provides treatments and vaccines against hepatitis B, especially to pregnant women and newborns, to prevent and eliminate this virus and have a healthier population.

A note expresses that the processes carried out to eliminate the disease and meet the 2030 objectives were presented at a day of awareness and update to obstetricians and gynecologists on compliance with protocols to detect and treat it in pregnant women and newborns, organized by the Ministry of Public Health.

It indicates that it coordinated with the Dominican Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the SNS, with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The director of Immunoprevenibles by Vaccines of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Aida Lucia Vargas, highlighted that the Government invests around RD$1,000 million in the acquisition of vaccines, including hepatitis B, as it is one of the main actions to prevent and eradicate this and other viruses.

Meanwhile, the person in charge of Epidemiological Surveillance of Immunopreventable Diseases, Dr. Suhaill Romero, indicated that the Ministry of Health provides medical centers with the Anti-B Immunoglobulin, which must be applied to newborns of mothers with hepatitis B. In this sense, she recommended physicians carry out the application process before the delivery of pregnant women with this virus.

Romero presented to physicians the application process through the 40 Provincial Health Directorates and invited them to report pregnant women with hepatitis B in the (Sinave), for greater control and monitoring of cases.

Authorities insist on vigilance.

Santo Domingo.-  In a commitment to enhance mental health services and improve quality of life, Minister of Health Víctor Atallah, in coordination with First Lady Raquel Arbaje, announced the extended operating hours of the “Cuida tu Salud Mental” Contact Center.

Starting September 1, the center will be open from 8 AM to midnight, including weekends, to provide greater support for those in need. To support this expansion, additional healthcare staff will be hired to ensure the availability of more professionals offering psychological counseling and support.

The center can be reached at 809-200-1400 for consultations with trained behavioral health specialists. This initiative aims to improve access to mental health services nationwide.

Minister Atallah reaffirmed his commitment to transforming mental health services during a visit to the Padre Billini Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center and meetings with the Society of Psychiatry and the Dominican College of Psychologists.

The Ministry of Health is also updating protocols for managing depressive disorders in adults, substance use in children and adolescents, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in minors. Technical committees composed of various institutions and specialists are overseeing these updates.

Additionally, efforts are underway to update the National Mental Health Plan and Mental Health Law 12-06, with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and other institutions, ensuring policies align with international best practices and local needs.

Strategic guidelines for suicide prevention are being developed, reviewed by technical committees and specialized consultancies, and will be implemented through decentralized units, including provincial, municipal, and health area offices.

The Ministry is also preparing a mental health bulletin and a study to characterize homeless individuals, aiming to provide updated information for decision-making and the implementation of appropriate intervention strategies.

Santo Domingo – The Epidemiological Surveillance System (SINAVE) reports that as of week 27, 8,484 dengue cases had been registered, and nine deaths had been reported.

However, it states that as of week 27, only 941 cases and nine deaths have been confirmed in the Dominican Republic.

The provinces with the highest incidence of cases are Santiago (255), Puerto Plata (133), and Duarte (99). The official data for cases can be verified.

The most affected sex is males between the ages of 10 and 19. Six cases were reported last week.

Dengue is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. It is a disease that affects people of all ages, with symptoms ranging from a mild fever to an incapacitating fever, accompanied by intense headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and erythema.

Malaria
The total number of suspected malaria cases under investigation is 28,007.

Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus that are spread to people through the bite of mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus. It is a preventable and curable disease. According to Epidemiology, it is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from one person to another. National data establish that for week 27 of this year -2024, 618 suspected malaria cases were reported, of which 9 cases were confirmed, eight male and one female, within the age group of 10 to 19 years old. These cases correspond to the active outbreaks in the provinces of San Juan, with eight cases, and Azua, with one case.

Covid-19 cases
In the last week, 159 cases of COVID-19 were reported, and as of week 27, 636 cases have been confirmed.

Leptospirosis
In the Dominican Republic, up to week 27, 323 probable cases of leptospirosis were reported; this represents an increase of 318% in the variation of the rate compared to 2023, when it was 154%.

The provinces with the highest incidence are Santo Domingo (55), Monte Cristi (43), Santiago (28) and Distrito Nacional with 15 cases.

The most affected sex is male, within the age group of 20 to 29 years old.

The Epidemiology Department keeps up to date with its weekly bulletins.

Santo Domingo – During one week, week 28, the Epidemiological Surveillance System recorded three maternal deaths from three provinces. Their ages ranged from 21 to 29 years old.

Nine deaths remain from dengue. The system indicates that as of the 28th epidemiological week of the year 2024, 135 suspected cases and 16 confirmed cases have been registered. Dengue is a disease transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It is notifiable.

Maternal mortality
The three maternal deaths came from the Peravia, Espaillat, and Monte Cristi provinces.

The health centers that reported cases were Maternidad Nuestra Señora La Altagracia, Centro Médico Guadalupe, and Clínica Unión Médica del Norte.

Sixty-seven percent or two out of three cases reported this epidemiological week, are of Dominican nationality.

The accumulated number of maternal deaths up to week 28 is 88 deaths, involving women between 17 and 44 years of age who resided in the Metropolitan region with 34 deaths, North Cibao, 15, East 15, Valdesia, eight, El Valle, five, Enriquillo, three, Northeast Cibao, three, Western Cibao, three and Central Cibao, two.

Of the 88 deaths reported, 45%, or 40 out of the 88 deaths, were Haitian women in labor.

Concern
Maternal and neonatal mortality remains a major concern, with many preventable deaths that have not decreased significantly in recent years. The World Health Organization stresses the importance of adequate maternal care for short- and long-term well-being. Although there has been progress, challenges persist.

Dengue fever
To date, 8,602 suspected cases of dengue have been reported.

The last week, 13.3%, or 18 of the 135 cases reported in the last week are concentrated in Hermanas Mirabal, 12.6%, or 17 of 135 in Duarte province and 10.4%, involving 14 of 135) in Santiago province. The cumulative incidence is 17.05 per 100,000 inhabitants, the province with the highest cumulative incidence is Hermanas Mirabal with 655.16 suspected cases per 100,000 inhabitants. A total of 8,602 suspected cases of febrile illness have been reported. Of the total number of suspected cases. Fifty-three percent of the suspected cases (4,523 out of 8,602) were male and affected the 10-19-year-old age group.

A total of 83.2% of the cases received care in a health facility, with 54% showing alarm signs and 45% without. Up to week 28, 4,475 dengue tests have been processed at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory.

This is a communicable disease indicator that is monitored by the authorities. Notification is mandatory.