There has been one confirmed case of dengue fever in Juarez since the risk of contracting the disease increased during the heavy rains of this past July and August. And according to reports in the Juarez news, fifteen others may have the disease which is carried and spread by mosquitos, much like malaria.
Malathion is being used by government civil protection agencies in an effort to eradicate the insect, as well as public education campaigns. Malathion, a potent insecticide, is being applied to 42 kilometers of the Acequia Madre and the Rio Bravo.
There has been an overall sharp rise in dengue fever in Mexico over the past three years. In September there were 3,588 known dengue fever cases nationwide, more than twice the 1,680 cases in 1993.
For more on this issue, please see article "Chihuahua State on Alert Against Dengue Fever".
Sources: Diario de Juarez, El Paso Times