Nicaragua is reporting twice as many dengue fever cases as this time last year.
The latest numbers from the Ministry of Health (MINSA), current through July, are 39,390 suspected cases, 1,316 lab-confirmed cases, and eight deaths. The majority of cases have been reported in Masaya, Managua and Carazo.
Dengue fever is a virus spread through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of dengue are fever and one or more of the following symptoms: headache; eye pain (typically behind the eyes); muscle, joint, or bone pain; rash; nausea and vomiting; or unusual bleeding (nose or gum bleed, small red spots under the skin, or unusual bruising).
Dengue is preventable, but not treatable
- No vaccine to prevent, or medicine to treat, infection is available.
- Mosquitoes that spread dengue bite during the day. Avoid infection by preventing mosquito bites.
- Use insect repellents. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol products provide long-lasting protection.
- Use air conditioning or window/door screens.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants or permethrin-treated clothing.
- Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, or trash containers. Check inside and outside your home.
Assistance:
Please follow the links or call the numbers below for consular assistance.
Contact the U.S. Embassy in Managua, located at Km 5 ½ C. Sur Managua, Nicaragua, by calling +505-2252-7104, 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Fridays. The American Citizen Services unit is also available by email during regular business hours at ACS.Managua@state.gov. For after-hours emergencies, call +505-2252-7171 and ask for the Embassy Duty Officer.
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