Deadly Dengue on the Rise in Mexico

Travel Blog  •  Jim Benning  •  04.10.07 | 11:45 AM ET

dneguethumbPhoto by ÇP, via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Mexican officials are concerned about an alarming rise in dengue fever—cases have risen 600 percent in the country since 2001—and they recently dispatched teams to coastal resorts to spray pesticides and clear pockets of standing water where mosquitoes multiply. It’s “one of the primordial public health problems the country faces,” one Mexican health official told the AP.

Particularly concerning is an increase in deadly hemorrhagic dengue, which now accounts for one in four cases.

If all that wasn’t troubling enough, dengue is expected to rise around Latin America and the world as a result of global warming. The good news, if there is any?

Reports the AP: “The CDC says there’s no drug to treat hemorrhagic dengue, but proper treatment, including rest, fluids and pain relief, can reduce death rates to about 1 percent.” (Via the San Francisco Chronicle)



10 Comments for Deadly Dengue on the Rise in Mexico

Andy Schnatz 04.16.07 | 10:04 AM ET

Another wonderful gift from Mexico

Elena 05.17.07 | 5:00 PM ET

I want to answer to the comment of Mr. Andy Schnatz:
Dear Mr. Schnatz, we need to stop to point the finger, is not “another wonderful gift from Mexico”, is “Another wonderful gift from all those people which doesn’t care to respect the environment and protect him!” because the reason of the rise of mosquitos that transmit the dengue is owed by the global warming as Mr. Jim Benning and the rest of the World says!
And that’s not just Mexico Mr. Schnatz, but are the developed populations that produce polluting substances and harmful gas!.... and remember, Mexico has the second largest green area of the entire World!... The animals live and grow where they can be calm and unmolested, if we get rid of their (our) ecosystem where can these animals go? Have you ever wondered why the underdeveloped countries are stricken from deadly illnesses as the malaria or the dengue?...
Well, when you will succeed to reflect to these questions and have concrete answers it will be a pleasure for me reply to you.
Elena

Andy Schnatz 05.18.07 | 7:40 PM ET

When I was there(Mexico)I went to many towns, not big cities. There was sewage in the gutters,human waste, water haveing to be trucked in. look at what they have done to the Reo Grand. I guess you have not been down to the border lately to see the trash and garbage that was left there from the invasion from Mexico. And if they are not responsable for it coming in to the US why is the Red Cross rejecting blood donners that has been to Mexico. There are so many people feeling sorry for them but the moment they step foot in to the US they have broken two federal laws.When you come here legally you need a health testing for TB and HIV.And if you check with WHO you will find out that they have brought in leporsey and also an incureabl TB. Now I rest my case

MamaCass 05.22.07 | 8:07 PM ET

Bravo, Elena. Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquito, and exacerbated by global warming; not ethnic hatred and racism. Being bitten by the hate bug can also be dangerous. Race-baiting didn’t work out so well for Hitler, for one.

Andy Schnatz 05.23.07 | 11:12 AM ET

You both say it is all about HATE The only hate I have is what they are doing to MY country not the people. You both have skiped around the complete issue.
Even the CDC says it is the truth. May be they are full of hate also. But facts are facts. Look beyond you nose and see what is happening

Elena 05.29.07 | 5:15 PM ET

Perhaps mr. Schnatz you not explained your concept very well, and in any case is not just your country suffering of it but first is Mexico!
Do you ever thought what your Country did to Mexico? Is a World situation!
We can start to accept each other and help each other…

Andy Schnatz 05.29.07 | 5:58 PM ET

Elena why don’t you tell me what we did to Mexico? We have supplied jobs there. Many business have moved there for the cheap labor creating more jobs. Helped during disasters with money, food and medical supplies.We allow you to send BILLIONS of our money back to Mexico hurting our economy.You have our tourist money that adds millions to your economy. In fact we paid for the land we now call the southwest US, we did not take it, but who did you take it from. The American Indian
Now you tell me what what you have done for America? Bring 99% of illegal drugs it to the US. Brake every known law, killed or murdered 22,000 Americans a year. Brought many new disease into our country including a incurable type of TB
Driven down our wages.Closeing medical pratices and hospitals by useing them and not paying. Braking our welfare systems. Forge and counterfit ID’s and Federal documents and I can go on and on. I have reserched this for over a year.And these are documented facts.And desert your children when you are deported. What kind of parents would do that? I wait for your reply, if you have any.

Elena 05.29.07 | 6:39 PM ET

Do you know that the United States are the only world country not to have signed the pact of kioto that binds the emission of carbon gases that produce the industries and create greenhouse effect and cause the global warming and therefore the dengue? Do you know that somebody said that the dengue is some american experiment during the war with Cuba? who gives you the oil?
Unfortunately Mexico is still very poor thanks to his corrupt politics, and for the ignorance produced by the squander of money.
But I didn’t want to reach this, because if keep going with this conversation as a dogs pursued his tail! In anything there are pro and con, but I repeat you must not be selfish and stop seeing only the things from your point of view. As Mexico the United States have many problems, and is for this that must not speak as if were angels!
By the way, I’m not mexican….

marc 07.29.07 | 9:10 PM ET

You want hate, I’ll give you hate… you want racism, I’ll give you racism … you want crazy, I’ll give you crazy –  shall I dance for you, you liberal dullards !

Race baiting is not working anymore ... its been done to death ... the speculation that it was the cause of the melting icecaps wised a few people up… get yourself a new strategy.

james 07.13.08 | 8:58 AM ET

As high waters recede, officials rush to ward off onset of disease VILLAHERMOSA, MEXICO — Holding her pale, 18-month-old grandson in her arms in Tabasco’s flooded state capital, Marisela Aceituno wondered whether the infant’s vomiting and diarrhea was a sign of the dreaded C word. Cholera. “Everything I give him he throws up,” Aceituno said as she stroked Christopher’s curly brown hair. With animal carcasses rotting in doorways and disease-carrying mosquitoes in the air, Mexican authorities are racing to prevent Tabasco from turning into a hot zone. Cholera, malaria and dengue fever, they say, could pose an even bigger risk…

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