GLIDE n°EP-2009-000249-MEX
The International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation's disaster response system and increases the ability of national societies to respond to disasters.
CHF 86,724 (USD or EUR 57,394) has been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Mexican Red Cross in delivering immediate assistance to some 6,000 families. Un-earmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.
Summary: During this year Mexico has been affected by a dengue outbreak as a result of floods, especially in the states of Veracruz, Tabasco and Jalisco. According to the Epidemiological Surveillance Single Information System (Sistema Único para la Vigilancia Epidemiológica - SINAVE, Mexico) reports that 41,687 dengue cases; which is a 30 per cent increase from last year. This DREF Bulletin is focused in providing 6,000 families with long lasting insectized-treated mosquito nets targeting the elderly and families with children under five years old. In addition, the National Society will implement an awareness-raising campaign to disseminate dengue prevention messages to the population in the states of Tabasco, Veracruz, Jalisco, Nayarit, Guerrero and Quintana Roo.
This operation is expected to be implemented over three months, and will therefore be completed by 25 February 2009; a final report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by 25 May 2009).
The situation
After torrential rains and flooding in October 2009 in the states of Tabasco, Veracruz, Jalisco, Nayarit, Guerrero and Quintana Roo, number of Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes have rocketed which has triggered serious dengue outbreaks.. Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that causes a severe flu-like illness, and sometimes a potentially lethal complication called dengue haemorrhagic fever.
During 2009, the Mexican Epidemiological Surveillance Single Information System (Sistema Único para la Vigilancia Epidemiológica - SINAVE, Mexico) reports that 41,687 dengue cases have been confirmed which represents a 30 per cent increase from last year. A total of 7,898 of these cases have been confirmed to be dengue hemorrhagic fever. Studies have shown there are an additional 11,222 unconfirmed cases being studied.
According to the Health Secretariat, the table below shows the number of reported cases in some of the affected states in Mexico:
| State | N° of cases |
| Veracruz | 5,341 |
| Nayarit | 4,736 |
| Guerrero | 3,933 |
| Jalisco | 3,823 |
| Michoacán | 3,585 |
Therefore, the Mexican health authorities are focusing particularly in the states of Veracruz and Tabasco which were affected by intense rains caused by the effects of Hurricane Ida that flooded thousands of hectares of crops and left thousands of people without homes. Both states have been affected by high concentration of mosquitoes which have caused the increase of dengue cases. Dengue is spread by the day-biting mosquito Aedes Aegypti which breeds in stagnant water. Authorities started fumigation activities in Tabasco and Veracruz, located in the eastern region of the country. The Mexican Red Cross, in coordination with local authorities, is assessing the areas in order to provide more detailed information.
The Mexican government has been providing support to the affected communities. On 18 November, health authorities informed that medical workers started to carry out fumigation activities in the two aforementioned states. A total of 120 medical workers have been deployed to fumigate the areas. Moreover, Mexico's Interior Ministry has declared a state of emergency in some municipalities in these two states.