Aruba has no Dengue outbreak.
ORANJESTAD - The Department of Public Health (DVG) has become aware of information circulating and published by the US Consulate in Curaçao, which is essential to correct.
The communication warns of an outbreak of Dengue cases in the Caribbean, referring to various islands such as Curaçao, Aruba, St. Maarten (CAS), and also the islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba (BES).
DVG, as the Aruban authority monitoring infectious and blood-borne diseases, informs the community that the information mentioning Aruba as an island experiencing a Dengue outbreak is incorrect. At this time, there is NO Dengue outbreak in Aruba. It is important to note that Dengue is an endemic disease with sporadic cases throughout the year. DVG constantly monitors the local, regional, and global situation, taking immediate action to prevent cases from increasing. Since July 2023, the World Health Organization has informed all members that Dengue could become a global problem due to climate change. As a result, the Dutch Caribbean islands, along with other islands in the Caribbean, have strengthened surveillance of blood-borne diseases.
Data from the Epidemiology and Research Department show that DVG received 13 Dengue notifications in the last month of 2023, of which 5 cases were confirmed, 6 tested negative, and 2 registered as probable. For 2024, there have been 6 Dengue notifications, with 2 positive tests, 2 negative tests, and 2 cases still pending laboratory results. Compared to previous years, this is not abnormal. Control indicators from the GKMB also show this, and there have been no hospital admissions due to Dengue as of the publication date of this article.
DVG emphasizes that Aruba does not have an "alert" for Dengue cases. If a disease poses a public health threat, the Department of Public Health (DVG) is the official authority to inform the community adequately.
For more information, you can follow the Facebook page of the Department of Public Health DVG Aruba, follow DVG on Instagram at directie_volksgezondheid_aruba, visit www.dvg.aw, call 5224200, or send an email to servicio@dvg.aw.
