GUADALAJARA - Jalisco’s health authorities have denied reports that the current outbreak of dengue in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara has turned into an an epidemic.

“In an urban area with three million people, nearly four, and 275 confirmed cases, we are not talking about an epidemic,” said Health Secretary Alfonso Gutierrez Carranza.

“To have what is termed an epidemic, numerically speaking, we would need at least 1,400 cases,” explained Norma Elizabeth Jacobo Hernandez, head of the department of Vectors and Zoonosis. “Just last year at this time, we had about 600 cases in the Puerto Vallarta area and nobody talked about an epidemic.”

Health authorities acknowledge they are facing a “significant outbreak,” and one that is not yet adequately managed. An outbreak can be declared controlled only after at least 15 dengue-free days.

By Sunday, there were 199 confirmed cases of dengue fever in Zapopan and five cases of hemorrhagic dengue.