DILI, 25 April 2025 (TATOLI) – The Ministry of Health recorded 500 cases of dengue fever in the first quarter of 2025, among which five people died, according to Florindo Gonzaga, the National Director of Disease Prevention and Control.
Dengue fever cases in Timor-Leste reached 500 in the first quarter of 2025, with five deaths — three in Dili, and one in Liquiçá and one in Manufahi,” said Gonzaga.
Gonzaga said that the majority of patients are under five years old, and about half of the cases come from Dili.
He said that to combat the disease, the Ministry of Health is committed to intensifying dengue prevention measures, such as distributing larvicides to the population to reduce mosquito populations by targeting larval stages.
Gonzaga added that the ministry will also carry out fumigation in high-risk dengue areas, not only in Dili but also in other municipalities, to prevent and combat the disease.
According to WHO the incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades, with cases reported to WHO increasing from 505 430 cases in 2000 to 5.2 million in 2019.
Meanwhile, in Timor-Leste, the highest number of dengue cases was reported in 2022, with 3,903 cases following an outbreak declared in January of that year.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
