Santo Domingo – The Dominican Republic has reported an 83% decrease in malaria incidence compared to the same period the previous year, dropping from 9.60 cases to 1.67 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the Ministry of Health.
During epidemiological week 43, five new malaria cases were confirmed, bringing the total for 2026 to 152 cases, as stated by the Directorate of Epidemiology (DIEPI).
Health authorities credit the significant reduction in malaria cases to enhanced surveillance and targeted interventions within affected communities. These measures encompass identifying individuals with fever, ensuring prompt supervised treatment, and undertaking fumigation and larvicide applications. Additionally, efforts to eliminate breeding sites for the Anopheles mosquito, the carrier of malaria, have also been implemented.
Health teams are conducting community education initiatives to promote the use of mosquito nets and repellents among residents in affected areas.
In a separate health update, no new cases of leptospirosis were reported in the same week, with the cumulative total for the condition remaining at 305 cases, resulting in an incidence rate of 3.34 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
