Guatemala: Dengue Outbreak - Aug 2023

In Guatemala, as reported by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, the Dengue outbreak situation is growing increasingly alarming. There has been a staggering 178% increase in the number of cases, with 14,299 cases recorded up to epidemiological week 34 (ending on 26 August 2023), compared to the same period in 2022 when there were only 5,150 cases. Adding to the severity of the situation, thirteen Departmental Directorates of Integrated Health Services Networks are currently experiencing a higher incidence of dengue than the national average. Following Zacapa, the most vulnerable areas include Chiquimula, Petén Sur Oriental, Escuintla, Quetzaltenango, Baja Verapaz, Sacatepéquez, Jutiapa, Petén Norte, El Quiche, Santa Rosa, Izabal and Jalapa. The latest epidemiological situation update issued by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance of Guatemala, with data up to week 34 (ending 26 August 2023) show an increase to 14,299 cases of dengue, including 36 (0.25%) cases of severe dengue and 28 deaths, representing a fatality rate of 0.19%. As of the first days of September, 39 new suspected cases of severe dengue have been reported, 26 cases have been confirmed, of which 21 have died and 12 are under investigation. (IFRC, 15 Sep 2023)