The Ministry of Public Health maintains active and reinforced epidemiological surveillance protocols at the Las Américas International Airport, José Francisco Peña Gómez (AILA), to detect the possible entry into the country of any variant of Covid-19 or other respiratory viruses and chikungunya, from abroad, after the increase in the flow of passengers during the Christmas period.
According to the authorities, the Dominican Republic currently does not register an increase in Covid-19 cases. Epidemiological surveillance indicates that the virus behaves like another respiratory infection within the group of seasonal conditions that circulate in the national territory.
Dr. Elizaida Mesa Matos, in charge of the Ministry of Public Health Services at AILA, explained that health personnel work continuously on the application of preventive protocols and on the surveillance of passengers coming from countries where cases of Covid-19 or other respiratory viruses have been detected.
Mesa Matos explained that, when travelers arrive with symptoms such as cough, fever or respiratory problems, the department coordinates with the National Emergency System 9-1-1 to provide immediate assistance.
If patients require specialized care, they are transferred to nearby health centers for evaluation.
The official highlighted that, given the increase in the flow of passengers due to the Christmas festivities between absent Dominicans and tourists, health surveillance has been reinforced to prevent diseases from entering the country.
“We are working 24 hours a day to monitor and prevent any suspected case of Covid-19 or other respiratory infection, applying the corresponding protocols immediately,” he stated.
Likewise, he recalled that during the winter months the circulation of flu viruses increases, especially among travelers from the United States, where low temperatures favor respiratory infections.
He explained that these viruses enter the body mainly through the mouth and hands, so frequent hygiene continues to be an essential measure.
Airport epidemiological staff are provided with masks, disposable gloves and other protective equipment to care for sick passengers with cough, sore throat, fever or similar symptoms, thus avoiding unnecessary exposures.
Chikungunya
Mesa Matos also reported that a special surveillance protocol is applied to travelers from Cuba, due to the detection of cases of the chikungunya virus on that island. This disease, transmitted by mosquitoes, causes a sudden high fever and pain and swelling in the joints.
The doctor assured that surveillance remains active throughout the airport perimeter and that the department has the necessary supplies to act in the event of any health eventuality.
Currently, the circulation of influenza is more relevant than that of Covid-19 in the country.
Mask in closed spaces
Public Health recommends that the population wear masks in closed spaces if they have respiratory symptoms, rest at home to cut the chain of transmission, wash their hands frequently, ventilate the spaces and go to the doctor in case of persistent fever or respiratory difficulty.
In recent days, Dominican virologist and researcher Robert Paulino warned that the recent behavior of Covid-19 internationally, with an increase in cases and hospitalizations in several countries, requires that the Dominican Republic maintain anticipatory measures to avoid pressures on the health system.
Current epidemiological reports indicate that several respiratory viruses circulate simultaneously in the country, including: respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A(H3N2), A(H1N1)pdm09, influenza B/Victoria, SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19), adenovirus, metapneumovirus and parainfluenza.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reminds that the most common symptoms of Covid-19 are fever, chills and sore throat, among others.
Most people recover without needing hospitalization, but those with severe symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
