Santo Domingo’s healthcare system is facing a significant public health challenge as multiple hospitals across the National District report a dramatic increase in patients suffering from respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses during November and December. Children have emerged as the most severely affected demographic in this concerning epidemiological situation.
Medical authorities, including Dr. Mabel Jones, Director of the Children’s Hospital, have confirmed the active circulation of multiple pathogens in the environment. Laboratory testing has identified Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza strains A and B, H1N1, and various gastrointestinal viruses as the primary culprits behind the current wave of infections.
On-site observations by Listin Diario reporters at two major healthcare facilities revealed numerous patients, predominantly infants and young children, exhibiting characteristic symptoms including persistent cough, nasal congestion, high fever, fatigue, and general malaise. While the majority of cases involve children under five, adults presenting with influenza-like symptoms have also been documented.
The Robert Reid Cabral Children’s Hospital has become a critical care epicenter, with concerned parents seeking urgent medical attention for their children. Hospital corridors and waiting areas have been filled with children ranging from three months to five years of age, requiring both routine check-ups and treatment for severe flu complications.
Patient case studies highlight the severity of the situation. Karen de la Cruz traveled from Haina, San Cristóbal, seeking treatment for her son who has been battling unrelenting fever and severe coughing since early November. Similarly, Gloribel Santos reported her three-month-old daughter’s deteriorating condition with worsening cough and congestion symptoms that necessitated transfer to a Santo Domingo medical facility.
In response to the crisis, health authorities have issued comprehensive prevention guidelines. Dr. Jones emphasized critical measures including keeping symptomatic children home from school, consistent mask usage by infected individuals, frequent hand washing, avoiding self-medication without pediatric consultation, and prioritizing vaccination to prevent further complications.
The Dr. Luis Eduardo Aybar Health City reported additional cases, including a five-year-old girl requiring three medical visits over several weeks for persistent flu-like symptoms. Medical staff confirmed 37 cases of acute febrile upper respiratory illnesses in November alone at this facility.
The Ministry of Public Health has activated 71 vaccination centers throughout Greater Santo Domingo and the National District to combat seasonal influenza. While health officials acknowledge that public response to vaccination efforts has not yet reached optimal levels, medical staff at the Santo Socorro Hospital vaccination tent report steady attendance across all age groups, including children with parents and senior citizens accessing vaccines for influenza and other viruses.