Dominican Republic sees 34.6% rise in dengue cases by August

As the Dominican Republic marks International Dengue Day on August 26, official data shows a significant increase in confirmed cases this year, though the latest epidemiological week indicates a decline. The country has recorded 245 confirmed cases and one death as of August 8, a 34.6% rise compared to 182 cases in the same period of 2025, according to the Ministry of Public Health's Epidemiology Directorate (Diepi) Source: eldiado. However, the National Epidemiological Surveillance System (SINAVE) reports 213 confirmed cases, a 20% increase from 173 cases in 2025 Source: hoydo. This discrepancy highlights differing reporting methods or cut-off dates between sources.

Case distribution

Cases peaked between epidemiological weeks 24 and 30, with the highest number (19) in week 28, followed by 18 in week 29 and 17 in week 30. In week 31 (August 2–8), only six cases were confirmed, all in La Altagracia and La Romana provinces Source: eldiado. In contrast, hoydo reports that Santo Domingo and Gran Santo Domingo concentrate the highest density of cases and suspects Source: hoydo.

Serotype and response

Untyped cases account for 57.96% of the total, while DENV-2 represents 33.47% Source: eldiado. Health Minister Víctor Atallah urged the public to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, stating, "The dengue only enters our house if we allow it" Source: eldiado. The ministry continues fumigation and community education campaigns, emphasizing that home breeding-site elimination remains the most effective barrier Source: hoydo.