The Ministry of Public Health (MSP) reported on Wednesday, October 11, that appropriate steps are being taken to acquire the dengue vaccine, but a detailed process is required that includes price comparisons, logistics and other actions related to revolving fund negotiations.
Dr. Eladio Pérez, Undersecretary of Collective Health, explained that “90% of the countries where dengue is present are interested in obtaining the vaccine through revolving funds, “The Dominican Republic seeks to be favored and we have made a list of which they The necessary biological measures were taken as quickly as possible,” Perez said.
Regarding the incidence of dengue fever in the country, authorities clarified at a regular press briefing on Wednesday that not all fever cases visiting health centers are dengue due to a range of viruses with similar symptoms and signs to the disease.
Pulmonologist Dr. Natalia García and Director of the Metropolitan Regional Health Service (SRSM) Dr. Edisson Rafael Féliz Féliz explain.
Garcia clarified that in addition to influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus and SARS-Cov-2 are also circulating and in some cases can cause similar signs and symptoms to dengue, such as fever and general malaise, which is Why he recommends getting the flu shot. pneumonia.
“In order to distinguish one from the other, it is necessary to see a specialist, since the symptoms are very similar and, if not given adequate care, they can both lead to acute pneumonia. In this case, as a preventive measure, we also recommend vaccination against influenza and pneumococcal vaccine.
Féliz Féliz said that more than 70% of presumptive dengue cases have turned out negative, while ensuring the availability of beds in hospitals in the metropolitan area, such as: Marcelino Vélez, Félix María Goico and Rodolfo de la Cruz, which provide high-quality assistance to patients and apply it correctly protocol.
“We have 305 beds in these centers. At the same time, the influx of patients into Hugo Mendoza and Robert Reed Pediatric Hospitals is because patients are sometimes turned away from going to these centers because of the good care and reputation of other centers. . But 70 to 80 percent of cases test negative for dengue,” he said.
Centers in the metropolitan area admitted 121 dengue patients. The total number of cases reported during epidemiological weeks 1 to 39 was 11,680, including 9 deaths.
Dr. Gina Estrella, director of risk management, explained that some 76,450 homes have been visited, and in addition to health staff, they have more than 850 volunteers. “These interventions include: fumigation, use of larvicides, disposal and elimination of mosquito breeding sites, meetings hosted by provincial authorities and health authorities in coordination with other agencies.”
On another topic, Dr. Sergio Sarita Valdez, Director of the National Institute of Forensic Pathology, Dr. Santo Jiménez Páez, said that the renovation of the center was completed on September 11 and that since then, an average of 150 autopsies have been performed. 5 to 6 a day because it is working at full capacity.
“The main causes of death include emergencies, cardiovascular events, coronary ischemic events, etc. The corpses examined were from different parts of the country and from different nationalities,” he said.
Dr. Aida Lucía Vargas of the Immunoprophylactic Vaccine Administration also participated in the meeting and announced that the vaccination day for the elderly will begin this Thursday (October 12) at the Assis Nursing Home in San Francisco.
