Public health officials in the Dominican Republic have announced that COVID-19 and other common seasonal respiratory viruses are continuing to circulate at stable, expected levels, with no active epidemiological alerts currently in effect across the country.
Released as part of the official update for Epidemiological Week 18, the latest bulletin from the nation’s Ministry of Public Health outlines that continuous active surveillance is already in place for key circulating pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza A(H3N2) and influenza A(H1N1). This proactive monitoring system is designed to flag any sudden shifts in virus transmission patterns that could require a public health response.
to ensure public access to care, the ministry has confirmed that complimentary COVID-19 testing remains widely available for Dominican residents at the National Needle Industry (Inaguja) parking lot, located directly behind the Ministry of Health’s central headquarters. Health officials have also issued a series of public reminders emphasizing core preventive habits to reduce the spread of respiratory illness: frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes to contain respiratory droplets, avoiding close contact with people displaying virus symptoms, maintaining consistent air flow in enclosed indoor spaces, and seeking prompt medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen. The guidance specifically prioritizes COVID-19 vaccination for high-risk groups, including adults over 65, pregnant people, and individuals living with chronic underlying health conditions.
Beyond respiratory virus surveillance, the latest epidemiological report highlights notable progress in controlling multiple other endemic and infectious diseases across the nation. Compared to the same period in 2025, confirmed malaria cases have plummeted by 84%, with only 78 positive cases recorded nationwide in 2026 to date. Dengue fever transmission also remains well under control, with just 93 confirmed cases recorded across the country. Most notably, no confirmed cholera cases or cholera-related deaths have been reported in the Dominican Republic at any point in 2026.
Despite these positive outcomes, public health teams are maintaining heightened vigilance for leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that has already reached 117 confirmed cases in 2026. During the 18th epidemiological week alone, officials recorded nine new confirmed cases and two deaths linked to the disease. Health authorities explained that recent heavy rainfall and current environmental conditions across the country have created favorable conditions for leptospirosis transmission, so ongoing prevention and targeted control operations will continue to be prioritized across high-risk regions.