Overview
- Health officials said this week the region has entered a "critical" stage after reporting more than 1,000 new dengue infections per week.
- Officials report about 12,000 probable and confirmed cases overall and 8,001 laboratory-confirmed infections, concentrated mainly in Trujillo (4,100), Virú (2,800) and Chepén.
- The outbreak has led to 43 people hospitalized and three confirmed deaths, and hospitals have treated more than 1,500 patients with acute dengue symptoms.
- Larval-control brigades face strong public resistance, with only roughly 45% of households allowing inspections and 44% of inspected homes testing positive for mosquito larvae, driving Trujillo to adopt fines for refusals and yards with breeding material.
- A targeted vaccine campaign for 10–16 year olds is under way in Virú with about 55% uptake, and regional health authorities have asked the national Ministry of Health to expand dosing to other districts and older age groups as cases threaten to rise further.