Montezuma Chamber of Tourism 

CaTuMo affiliates and other members of the Montezuma community,

First off I’d like to thank the following business establishments and government agencies for having shown a genuine interest in the fight against the dangerous dengue virus and for participating in the Dengue Virus Prevention and Treatment Workshop that the Ministry of Health held in the community in a joint effort with the Municipal Council and CaTuMo. Many thanks to:

• Bar y Restaurante Moctezuma
• Soda Las Delicias
• Restaurante La playa de los artistas
• Restaurante y Café Orgánico
• Hotel y Restaurante El Sano Banano
• Ylang ylang beach resort & spa
• Casitas Sollevante
• Hotel Amor de Mar
• Hotel Casacolores
• Hotel Aurora
• Hotel Moctezuma
• Hotel El Jardín
• Hotel Capitán
• Librería Topsy
• Cocozuma Tours
• Tropisphere Real State
• Concejo Municipal de Distrito de Cóbano
• Ministerio de Salud

It’s truly a pity that there was not a great attendance and that the effort and work taken to plan and carry out such an activity was not as fruitful as it could have been.

There are some items we learned at the Workshop that surprised those in attendance, such as the fact that the mosquitoes that transmit the dengue virus (aedes aegypti) do not need to bite a sick person to become carriers because they are now born with the infection. Additionally, they not only reproduce in clean water. It has been found that now they even reproduce in septic tanks, which makes it critical for all air exhaust pipes from septic tanks be covered with a piece of mesh bound with a rubber band or with a sock.

The dengue virus is a very serious illness that has to be regarded with caution and respect, as the symptoms are increasingly becoming more severe. There have been 4 fatal cases in the central Pacific region. All clinics and hospitals in the region are overloaded. There has been a 300% increase in the number of cases compared to last year. We have more than 200 cases in Santa Teresa. A week ago when we had the Workshop there was one case in Montezuma. Today I received a call from Dr. Fabio Quesada, Chief of the Clínica de Cóbano, to inform me that there are now four cases and that this is cause for great concern as the situation could turn much worse at any time.

I don’t know if you have seen, heard or read national news lately, but in case you have not heard, the Panamerican Health Office has given a national alert for dengue in Costa Rica, in particular for the central Pacific region to which we belong, being that this is the area where the greatest number of cases is being reported. If you have noticed a reduction in the flow of tourists this mid-year, you may draw your own conclusions as to the reason!

FUMIGATION IS NOT THE SOLUTION! Fumigation only eradicates adult mosquitoes, leaving scores of larvae alive so that only a few days later they will be happily flying around infecting more victims!

THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO ELIMINATE THEIR BREEDING SITES! This is why I fervently urge everyone to face this problem together so that we can tackle it and triumph over this mortal enemy!

LET US PLEASE ORGANIZE BY NEIGHBORHOODS AND FIGHT THE BATTLE TOGETHER! IT’S THE ONLY WAY WE CAN EMERGE VICTORIOUSLY FROM THIS DELICATE SITUATION!

We must check rain gutters, eliminate plants that collect stagnant water, eliminate plates under potted plants, wash and regularly change our pets’ water dishes, check all our grounds and the surroundings of our properties, the educational facilities attended by our children, churches, commercial establishments, sports facilities … in short, it’s hard work that belongs to everyone and to each of us. Please be aware of the urgency of the situation and let’s take action now!

This coming Wednesday, July 24, there will be an extraordinary trash collection run. We must gather all electronic and other waste, including old tires and any other object that may gather stagnant water and form a breeding site. Besides the yards and surroundings of our homes and businesses, we must also be concerned about our neigborhood’s shared public areas. Please take all of this waste out to the street for collection by Municipal Council personnel this coming Wednesday!

Let’s get busy and be ready to offer our children, guests, visitors and ourselves a Dengue-Free Community!

Sincerely, Rebeca Quesada Güell – CaTuMo