[Chikungunya in the Dominican Republic: lessons learned in the first six months]

The chikungunya epidemic in the Dominican Republic began in February 2014. During the first six months 429 421 cases were recorded, representing 65% of all those notified to the Pan American Health Organization by 33 countries and territories of the Region of the Americas. This epidemic has spread quickly in the Dominican Republic, requiring a focused intersectoral response, led by the Ministry of Public Health and involving major efforts by the National Epidemiological System and the health services network. Given that the virus will affect thousands of people, this article seeks to describe the actions that have already been carried out, and to share the results and lessons learned during these first months with health ministries and professionals in the countries of the Region, in order to assist them to prepare an appropriate response to confront the epidemic effectively and efficiently.