The Ministry of Health (Minsa) announced on Apr. 1 a series of recommendations to help travelers avoid contracting dengue during the Holy Week holiday, a period when many people travel across the country.
This guidance is important as movement between regions can increase exposure to mosquito-borne diseases like dengue. The ministry’s advice aims to protect public health and reduce cases of illness associated with the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Key recommendations include applying insect repellent every four hours, wearing lightweight clothing that covers most skin, and ensuring accommodations have proper protections such as mesh screens on doors and windows. For those camping, using a mosquito net is advised. Before leaving home, people are encouraged to eliminate possible mosquito breeding sites by emptying or covering containers like buckets, tires, bottles, caps, and tanks. The ministry also suggests washing and covering water storage containers well and replacing water in flower vases with moist sand or floral foam. Pet water bowls should be cleaned, dried, and stored when not in use.
If individuals experience symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, muscle or joint pain, rash, nausea or vomiting after traveling to areas where dengue is present, they are urged to visit the nearest health center rather than self-medicating.
Minsa reports ongoing collaboration with regional governments and Integrated Health Network Directorates this year has strengthened efforts against the spread of dengue-carrying mosquitoes. These measures include awareness campaigns in schools and public spaces about eliminating breeding sites and targeted larval control activities in homes and cemeteries where standing water may be found.
The ministry also continues training healthcare professionals through technical guidelines designed for comprehensive care of dengue patients in Peru (NTS n.º 211-MINSA/DGIESP-2024), which support timely diagnosis and treatment.
For more information about dengue prevention or if there are questions about symptoms or risks while traveling during Holy Week festivities, Minsa offers free information via its Línea 113 hotline as well as through WhatsApp or Telegram at numbers 952 842 623 and 955 557 000. Inquiries can also be sent by email to inforsalud@minsa.gob.pe.
