Resumen

WONG- MCCLURE, Roy; SUAREZ- PEREZ, Marilys  y  BADILLA- VARGAS, Xiomara. Estudio de la estacionalidad del dengue en la costa pacífica de Costa Rica (1999-2004). Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2007, vol.49, n.1, pp.38-41. ISSN 0001-6002.

Aim: This study analyzed the Dengue’s seasonal behaviour in the Central Pacific Region of Costa Rica, during the period from 1999 to 2004. It is known that the dengue virus is the most common cause of arbovirus diseases in the world. Material and methods: We got the data from the Costa Rican Ministry of Health and the National Meteorological Institute. From this data, moving averages were calculated to evaluate its seasonal behaviour and the features of the outbreaks. In this study an outbreak of dengue is defined when there are 20 or more cases reported per week. Results: During this period under study, an increase in the number of dengue cases per year was observed; its numerical behaviour throughout this interval, reflected a pattern in which the outbreaks appeared between the 18 th through the 29 th epidemiological week (April - July) which coincided with the rainy season in the region. Discusion: The conclusion drawn from this study is that in the Central Pacific region, the dengue disease shows a predictable pattern in relation to the rainy season. For this reason, intensifying preventive measures, as well as, preparedness for patient treatment is strongly recommended, before the epidemiological week with highest average of cases and the seasonal pattern.

Palabras clave : Dengue; Costa Rica.

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