The number of confirmed fatalities due to dengue in Santander has risen to 12 in 2024. More than 16,000 people have been affected. The Departmental Government has issued a warning. Over 6,000 citizens in Santander have had to be hospitalized in 2024 due to health complications caused by dengue. 41% of the confirmed dengue deaths in Santander were recorded in Bucaramanga. The capital city leads the list of municipalities with the highest number of deaths in the department. This was revealed in the latest official report published by the Government of Santander after the Departmental Council for Disaster Risk Management held this week.
In addition to detailing the negative impacts of the mosquito-borne disease, authorities have issued a warning to the competent entities in each municipality to strengthen care, prevention, and medical attention related to dengue. The distribution of the 12 deaths is as follows: Bucaramanga (5 victims), Floridablanca (2), Piedecuesta (1), El Playón (1), Sabana de Torres (1), San Gil (1), and Güepsa (1).
In addition to these 12 confirmed cases, health authorities are currently studying nine other deaths to confirm whether they were due to dengue or another disease. The Secretary of Health of Santander, Edwin Antonio Prada Ramírez, led a working group in recent days to intensify promotion, prevention, and control measures related to dengue, as well as to strengthen the care of those affected.
Insurance entities, health service providers, and territorial authorities were part of this meeting. The call is to optimize response times and increase preventive actions with communities. As of June 1, 2024, there have been officially 16,356 cases of people infected with dengue in Santander. Bucaramanga, Barrancabermeja, Floridablanca, Girón, Piedecuesta, San Gil, Málaga, Cimitarra, and Lebrija are the localities with the highest number of infections.
It is important to pay attention to symptoms and seek medical attention. If you have a fever for 2 to 7 days, along with at least two of the following symptoms (headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle pain, joint pain, or skin inflammation), consult your doctor as it could be dengue, warned the Government of Santander. Another important warning issued by health experts is not to self-medicate. According to authorities, in several of these confirmed dengue deaths, citizens self-medicated instead of seeking specific treatment from a doctor.
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