The government declared a dengue fever emergency throughout the country July 25 when a new strain of the disease was identified in a patient. This new strain raises the risks that the disease will progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can be lethal. Since January, nine children and one adult have died from the disease, some 3100 cases have been confirmed and more than 200 cases have been identified as hemorrhagic. Guatemala and Honduras are also battling dengue fever outbreaks. The only prevention is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes carrying the disease, so wear clothing that covers the arms and legs, use insect repellant, and sleep under mosquito netting.
