Peru’s National Civil Defence Institute (INDECI) reports a severe dengue and zika outbreak in the country. The Northern coast region (Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Cajamarca) which was specially impacted by the floods and landslides caused by “El Nino costero” phenomenon earlier this year, is particularly affected. The total number of dengue confirmed cases countrywide is 20 930 while 42 297 are reported as probable. Piura is the most affected region with 9 632 confirmed cases and 32 886 un-confirmed (37 deaths confirmed). The total of zika confirmed cases countrywide is 546.
The Ministry of Health in coordination with the Regional Health offices are implementing activities such as fumigation, preventive health campaigns. Sanitary plans have been activated; however, diagnosis of both dengue and zika is slow due to shortage of reagents at regional level.