Bolivia battles chikungunya in Santa Cruz The Bolivia Ministry of Health reported that the national count of chikungunya cases has reached 5,371 as of March 7, with the majority of infections concentrated in Santa Cruz department, which accounts for 4,371 cases. While health officials noted a declining trend in recent weeks, other regions such as Beni have declared a health emergency due to outbreaks of both dengue and chikungunya. To address the crisis, the Ministry of Health and Sports, in collaboration with the National Vector-Borne Diseases Program, has launched an Integrated Management strategy. This approach combines chemical and biological control methods with a strong emphasis on environmental health initiatives. The strategy includes deploying 20 experts and 335 brigade members to strategic districts, with a focus on Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Efforts there are centered in districts 9 and 10, where over 12,000 homes have been treated, and critical locations like tire shops and health facilities have been prioritized. The response includes distributing 1,300 liters of insecticide and applying biological larvicides using backpack sprayers. Public awareness campaigns emphasize the importance of removing dense vegetation, as it provides hiding spots for mosquitoes. Residents are encouraged to clear weeds from yards and gardens to eliminate breeding grounds. Additionally, the public is urged to participate in community clean-up efforts to remove water-collecting containers and maintain VERTC prevention habits—Turn Over, Remove, Remove, Cover, and Scrub. The Ministry also ensures ongoing epidemiological surveillance for chikungunya, dengue, Zika, malaria, and leishmaniasis.#bolivia_ministry_of_health #santa_cruz_department #national_vector_borne_diseases_program #ministry_of_health_and_sports #chikungunya
