Dengue Cases on the Rise; 40% are Children

For the past two weeks, we have been reporting on the dengue outbreak in Belize and tonight the situation continues to spiral as the number of confirmed clinical cases has increased by ten percent when compared to a week ago on Monday. There are now seven hundred and eighty-nine known cases based on the data collected from medical facilities across the country; forty percent of those cases are children and forty-nine are documented as severe dengue cases. While Corozal is showing the highest number since the outbreak, an increase out west has Cayo next in line in the number of cases. Late this afternoon, News Five got an interview with Director of Health Services, Doctor Marvin Manzanero who says that fortunately, there have been no deaths as a result of dengue.

Marvin Manzanero

Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services

“We do have an increase from the preliminary data that we have managed to take out. We have seven hundred and eighty-nine confirmed cases which will be a ten percent increase average from what we reported exactly one week ago, with the Cayo District now having a higher increase in terms of numbers. So they are, behind Corozal, the second highest number in terms of total cases. We also have an increase particularly in the paediatric population where last week we had said one-third it is now forty percent of cases are now in the paediatric population. We were asked last week about mortality cases; we don’t have any in Belize. We are aware of a couple of severe cases at Karl Heusner and we have forty-nine of those total seven hundred and eighty-nine cases that are considered to be severe cases of dengue.”

Duane Moody

“How do you treat these severe cases to avoid having anyone die from dengue?”

Dr. Marvin Manzanero

“Well there is no specific treatment. What you try to do is manage the symptoms. It is usually early intervention in terms of hydration and making sure that there is no potential factors that can contribute to bleeding aspects. Like if people have chronic diseases that go along with it, control those, but there is no real specific cure. It is an early intervention and you manage the symptoms as you go along.”