In contrast to the recent predictions of the Jalisco Health Department, the number of dengue cases in the state continues to increase.
Three weeks ago, Health Secretary Fernando Petersen said the cooler weather would bring about a decrease in the mosquito-borne disease, which has reached epidemic levels this year.
However, federal health authorities confirmed Thursday that during the past week another 744 patients in Jalisco tested positive for dengue, bringing the total for the year to 9,600. Of these, 6,476 were diagnosed with the more common, less severe dengue virus, while the remainder were either infected by hemorrhagic dengue fever or a more intense form of the disease.
More than two-thirds of the confirmed cases have been in the Guadalajara metropolitan area.
Unofficial estimates suggest that the probable total of dengue cases in Jalisco is more than 75,000.