Dominican Republic reports surge in leptospirosis and shifts in mortality rates

The Dominican Republic's Ministry of Public Health has released its epidemiological bulletin for week 30 of 2026, highlighting several significant shifts in national health trends.

Leptospirosis cases have seen a substantial increase, with 260 confirmed cases year-to-date, nearly triple the 93 cases reported during the same period in 2025. While recent weekly notifications have trended downward, the cumulative total remains high. Additionally, the report notes 224 confirmed cases of dengue.

In contrast, other health indicators show improvement. Malaria cases have decreased by 82% compared to last year, totaling 126 cases. Maternal and infant mortality rates have also declined; maternal deaths stand at 76 for the year, compared to 105 in 2025, while infant deaths have dropped to 1,049 from 1,134 in the previous year.

Health authorities continue to urge the population to maintain healthy habits and take preventive measures against vector-borne diseases, such as eliminating mosquito breeding sites and avoiding contact with potentially contaminated water.