Due to collective events, a total of 19,863 consultations have been attended to in the outpatient, hospitalization and emergency services, 12,734 (64.1%) for Acute Respiratory Infection – ARI, and 7,129 (35.9%) for Acute Diarrheal Disease. of which, 1,173 (5.9%) were treated in EW 22, 889 (75.8%) for Acute Respiratory Infection and 284 (24.2%) for Acute Diarrheal Disease-ADD.
The Government declared a public health emergency for a period of six months on May 3, 2024 and adopted the contingency plan for the management, care and control of dengue in Casanare (Decree 0121 2024) and, on June 4, Given the emergency due to the winter wave, due to the incidence of the first rainy season throughout the department, a public calamity was declared (Decree 0157 of 2024).
The health emergency due to dengue continues
Cutting to epidemiological week 22 of 2024, according to the analysis of case notifications, regarding the level of transmission of the disease, Yopal and Aguazul are at the level of very high transmission; Paz de Ariporo, Tauramena and Villanueva at the high transmission level; Maní, Nunchía, Pore, San Luis de Palenque and Trinidad at the medium transmission level; and Chámeza, Hato Corozal, Monterrey, Orocué, Recetor, Sabanalarga and Támara at the low transmission level.
The Casanare Health Secretariat reminded the community that, in the face of the emergency due to the winter wave, it is important to maintain prevention and protection measures to avoid the appearance of infectious diseases. Among them are diseases transmitted by food or water, attacks by animals potentially transmitting rabies, ophidic accident, leptospirosis, Chagas disease, dengue, leishmaniasis, malaria, acute respiratory infection, acute diarrheal disease and diseases due to poisoning by animals.
Prevention recommendations
Acute respiratory infections: Wear face masks in closed spaces, especially in gardens, schools, geriatric centers. Persistently clean and disinfect home and work surfaces. Adopt good hygiene practices. Keep the influenza and COVID-19 vaccination schedule up to date
Vector-borne diseases (dengue, chagas, malaria, leishmaniasis) Cover containers with water, eliminate garbage accumulated in patios and outdoor areas, dispose of tires or storage in closed places. Frequently change the water in animal drinkers and vases. Use repellents on exposed areas of the body and wear appropriate clothing, long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Use mosquito nets or canopies on beds, especially when there are sick patients to prevent them from infecting new mosquitoes or in places where children sleep. Wash and brush tanks and pools, eliminate mosquito breeding sites. Collect garbage and solid waste on vacant properties and lots, keep the yard clean and participate in community garbage collection days with community and intersectoral activities.
Food or water borne illnesses (hepatitis A, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, cholera): Ensure the supply of safe water for consumption (boil it for 5 minutes before serving). Wash your hands carefully with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before eating. Carefully wash fruits and vegetables before consuming them. Keep food well covered and refrigerated. Eat only well-cooked, hygienically prepared foods.
Diseases transmitted by rodents (leptospirosis): Exclude and prevent rodent access to houses and other buildings (cover holes). Do not place baits with rodenticides inside the home, they attract the rodent and it urinates and defecates in the area, leaving pathogens, increasing the possibility of contact with humans. Store food for both humans and animals in a safe place so that it is not within reach or attracts rodents. Do not sweep or vacuum places contaminated by rodents. Weed and clean surroundings and avoid: Putting items in your mouth that may have been in places with possible contamination (branches, leaves, grass, etc.). Accumulate garbage in non-enabled places. Bathe in water that may be contaminated with animal urine (wear rubber boots, gloves and appropriate clothing for people who are required to be exposed to such exposure due to their work).
For snake bites (ophidic accidents), avoid: Going out into the countryside without shoes, wearing long pants, high boots under the pants. Approach the snakes. If it is not possible to move away in time, refrain from making sudden movements. Touch a snake, some stay still so they don’t get attacked. Lifting stones or logs with unprotected hands, putting your hand or foot into holes in the ground, tree holes, caves, nests and abandoned hearths. Maintain the peri-domiciliary space with short grass, free of weeds and debris that may attract rodents that constitute one of the snakes’ food.
