Paraguay's Ministry of Public Health, through its General Directorate of Health Surveillance, is alerting the population to maintain prevention measures against dengue and other arboviruses, such as zika and chikungunya, despite the current low circulation of the virus. Reports of suspected cases remain stable, with an average of 128 per week.
In the last three weeks, according to the epidemiological bulletin, only four dengue cases were confirmed in the country, identified in the departments of Central, Presidente Hayes, and in Asunción. The cumulative number of diagnoses for the year stands at 290.
Health authorities emphasize the importance of eliminating breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, especially after periods of rain. Recommendations include discarding objects that collect water, such as bottles and tires, keeping water tanks well covered, regularly cleaning gutters, and changing the water in plant pots and animal drinking bowls daily.
Regarding severe cases, two patients were hospitalized for dengue in recent weeks, one in Limpio and another in Asunción. Both have already been discharged. No deaths from the disease were recorded in this period. The outbreak previously identified in the municipality of Limpio continues to decline, with only two cases recently registered.
Some regions, however, saw an increase in the number of reports, including Central, Asunción, Itapúa, Paraguarí, Guairá, Boquerón, Caaguazú, Amambay, Ñeembucú, and Caazapá. As for chikungunya, there were no new confirmed cases, keeping the year's total at 19, three of which were imported from Bolivia.
The ministry also reinforces the need to seek medical attention at the first signs of symptoms, such as fever, body or head pain, and to avoid self-medication.