The National Center for Epidemiology, Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) of the Ministry of Health (Minsa) reported that 3,679 people suffered from dengue coinfection and COVID-19called “covidengue”, so far during the pandemic in the country.
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“We already have a casuistry of this co-infection called “covidengue”. Our country is endemic due to dengue in many areas of the jungle and in the north of the country and the pandemic that has been affecting us for two years and that is probably going to become endemic,” said Verónica Soto, spokeswoman for the Minsa, in dialogue with Channel N.
“Since 2020, since the start of the pandemic, these cases have been occurring. Coinfections have been occurring more in recent months. In general, several cases have been presented at the national level. That is a number as of today. [3.679]”, he added.
The representative of the Health sector clarified that the “Covid-19” it is not a new variant of the coronavirus but a co-infection. He explained that deaths have been reported, but that this figure is being analyzed by CDC specialists, and therefore, so far, a number of deaths cannot be given.
“Yes, there have been deceased with ‘covidengue‘ just in people who have had comorbidities. It must be taken into account that the people who are most vulnerable are pregnant people, older adults, and young children. To them must go our care. So far the number of deaths from ‘covidengue’ is being analyzed by the CDC. I couldn’t give you an exact number.”, he referred.
Soto mentioned that among the regions that have been reporting “covidengue” so far this year are: Loreto, Ucayali and Piura.
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Epidemiological alert for dengue launched
On February 16, the CDC launched the epidemiological alert for dengue cases in Lima and other regions of the country, to strengthen the epidemiological surveillance and investigation system and provide preparedness and response measures at the national level.
According to clinical form, 87.03% of the cases correspond to dengue no warning signs12.50% to dengue with warning signs and 0.48% to severe dengueincluded 8 deathswith a fatality rate of 0.15%.
82.1% (4,283) of dengue cases were concentrated in regions of Ucayali, Huanuco, Cajamarca, Cusco, San Martin. Piura, Junin and Loreto.
Compared to the same period in 2021, there was an increase in cases and even some outbreaks of dengue in the regions of Áncash, Lima, Cusco, Cajamarca, Huánuco, Ucayali, Pasco, Piura. Lambayeque, Puno and La Libertad.
