Honduras: Dengue Outbreak - Jul 2023

Honduras is currently facing an outbreak that according to the Epidemiological bulletin on the situation of Arbovirosis from the Health secretariat (SESAL) indicates that the country is in an epidemic zone in 7 departments and the most affected regions by Epidemiological Week 29 are: Comayagua, La Paz, Yoro, Atlantida, Olancho, Copan and Ocotepeque and other 8 departments are in an alert stage. Up to epidemiological week 29 (16 - 22 July), SESAL has reported at least 9,278 cases of dengue of which 63 are cases of severe dengue. The cases have increased since week 16 and the epidemic is expected to intensify over the next few weeks unless emergency actions are taken, mainly in urban areas with environmental and demographic conditions conducive to the proliferation of the vector due to seasonal rains and the lack of proper water storage for domestic consumption. The highest accumulated cases by Epidemiological week 29 are Central District (Francisco Morazan) with 3,522 cases (13 severe) and Comayagua with 922 cases (5 severe). The epidemic situation is exacerbated due to limited capacities to respond in regions such as Comayagua where health authorities have requested support from the National Society; in other regions such as Cortes and Francisco Morazan there is an underreporting of cases due to political strife at health units (take over of facilities by unions) since several months ago which have halted the register of cases and community actions. (IFRC, 7 Aug 2023)