Public health officials in the Dominican Republic have released their latest epidemiological update for the 20th surveillance week of the year, outlining new case counts across a range of endemic and infectious diseases, as well as ongoing circulation patterns for common respiratory pathogens. The update, published by the nation’s Ministry of Public Health from the capital Santo Domingo, paints a mixed picture of disease transmission across the country, with most metrics tracking near or below recent seasonal averages.
On dengue, one of the Caribbean region’s most persistent vector-borne endemic diseases, the ministry confirmed 10 new diagnoses across the country over the seven-day reporting period. This brings the cumulative total of confirmed dengue cases recorded since the start of the year to 111. Geographically, the bulk of cases have been concentrated in just a handful of provinces: La Altagracia leads all regions with 29 total confirmed cases, followed by Valverde with 8. Single additional cumulative cases have been recorded in San Cristóbal, La Vega, and Puerto Plata to date. When compared to the same reporting week in 2025, when 11 new dengue cases were logged, officials noted a small but measurable slight reduction in new infections.
Turning to another endemic vector-borne illness, malaria, the update recorded four new confirmed cases over the past week. All of the new malaria diagnoses were in male patients, and all were detected in the southwestern province of San Juan. For the full year to date, the cumulative national count of confirmed malaria cases stands at 83. As with dengue, cases are heavily geographically concentrated: Azua province accounts for more than 62 percent of all national cases at 52, while San Juan follows with 20 confirmed cases.
Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread through contact with water contaminated by animal urine, has also been tracked by officials. The ministry’s update puts the cumulative national case count at 149 confirmed infections so far this year, with two new cases added to the tally in the capital province of Santo Domingo during the 20th epidemiological week.
Beyond infectious disease case counts, the report also included the latest data on maternal and infant mortality. Over the past week, three new maternal deaths and 27 new infant deaths were recorded across the country. Since the start of 2026, the cumulative total of maternal deaths reported nationwide stands at 46.
On the respiratory virus front, public health authorities confirmed that multiple common pathogens remain in active circulation across the Dominican Republic. These include human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza, adenovirus, and influenza A subtype H3N2. In a key development, officials noted that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has seen a steady increase in case counts over recent weeks and is now the most prevalent circulating respiratory virus in the country. The 20th week update recorded two new confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases, alongside one new case of human metapneumovirus.
The ministry added that it continues to maintain active surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), which are currently circulating alongside less severe influenza-like illness (ILI). As of the latest update, the overall situation for influenza-like illness “remains within expected parameters,” with no unexpected surges or new concerning variants reported.
As a reminder for the general public, the Ministry of Public Health reissued basic background information on COVID-19: the disease can cause a wide spectrum of severity, ranging from mild cold-like symptoms to life-threatening complications including pneumonia and severe acute respiratory syndrome. Common symptomatic presentations include a dry cough, sore throat, persistent fatigue, loss of smell or taste, shortness of breath, and nasal congestion. The virus spreads primarily through close contact with infected individuals, or via contact with contaminated surfaces and objects.