Deputy Health Minister Jose Rodriguez Aybar said Friday there have been 1,644 cases so far this year. That's about 200 more than the average for an entire year.

Malaria is caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. There's no vaccine, but it can be treated.

Dominican Medical Council epidemiologist Clemente Terrero said heavy rains could be a factor. But he also cited an influx of migrants from Haiti, where malaria is more prevalent.

Thousands of Haitians crossed the border after the quake seeking work and shelter, and the incidence is highest near the border.

source: AP -etaiwannews.com

Dominican Republic: Dengue kills 41st victim

Via Diario Libre.com, a report datelined Santiago: El dengue mata otra niña en Santiago. [Dengue kills another girl in Santiago] Excerpt, with my translation:

El dengue sigue cobrando vidas en esta ciudad, donde otra niña de siete años de edad falleció a causa de la enfermedad, luego de permanecer 18 horas internada en el hospital infantil Arturo Grullón. La menor fallecida es Génesis Peralta, quien residía con sus padres, Martín Peralta y Claribel Altagracia Rodríguez, en el sector de Matanzas.

Dengue continues taking lives in this city, where another seven-year-old girl died of the disease after 18 hours in Arturo Grullón Children's Hospital. The dead girl is Génesis Peralta, who lived with her parents Martín Peralta and Claribel Altagracia Rodrígues in the Matanzas sector.

The story goes on to say 8,839 persons in the Dominican Republic have been diagnosed with dengue, with 41 deaths. Santiago has seen 1,600 of the cases and 23 of the deaths.

source: H5N1