Description of the situation
As of 2 August 2002, the Ministry of Health has reported 5 833 suspected cases of dengue fever of which 344 have been laboratory confirmed. Dengue haemorrhagic fever is suspected in 158 cases of which 11 have been laboratory confirmed. Dengue 3 has been the predominant circulating strain although 2 districts have reported the presence of dengue 2 in January.
In the Galapagos Islands, 4 cases have now been confirmed by laboratory tests. This is the first reported detection of dengue fever in the Galapagos Islands. The Ministry of Health have sent a team to investigate the outbreak and carry out entomological studies.