SANTO DOMINGO — Dominican health authorities have declared a national epidemiological alert after infectious disease specialist Hector Balcácer warned Friday that the country faces an elevated risk of Ebola reaching its borders, while confirmed dengue cases surged to 10 new infections per week across the island.
The dual health threat comes as heavy rains have killed at least two people and displaced hundreds in the capital’s southern districts. The health ministry has activated emergency response protocols and is distributing mosquito netting in high-risk dengue zones along the Ozama River watershed.
Balcácer told reporters the Caribbean tourism hub — which receives up to 7 million visitors annually — must strengthen border screening and laboratory capacity. Regional health monitors are watching two confirmed Ebola cases in Haiti, 85 kilometers east of Santo Domingo.
President Luis Abinader convened an emergency health cabinet session Thursday. The tourism sector, which accounts for 15% of GDP, has so far not reported cancellations.
Written by Diego Vargas, Latin America Correspondent