A heat wave and heavy rain have led to a severe dengue outbreak in Peru. International news agencies reported this on Tuesday. The Peruvian government has therefore declared a medical emergency in 22 of the 25 regions in the South American country. So far this year, more than 31,300 people have been infected with the dengue virus and 32 people have died, Peru’s health minister said.
Last year saw the largest dengue outbreak ever in Peru: a total of 269,216 people were infected and 428 died. This year, more people were infected and died faster in the first weeks than last year, and a health policy emergency has therefore been declared. Most people have been infected in northern Peru, where hospitals are already overcrowded. Healthcare providers have received more resources from the Peruvian government to combat the dengue virus.
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Mosquitoes due to heat wave
The dengue virus, also called dengue fever, is usually not fatal, but without treatment the complications can be life-threatening. The complaints that infected people suffer include high fever (up to 41 degrees), vomiting, coughing fits and a severe headache. Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes from (sub)tropical areas.
The mosquitoes that carry the virus are multiplying faster due to rising temperatures and heavy rainfall. The weather phenomenon El Niño causes these humid heat waves along the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of northern Peru.
According to The Pan American Health Organization People in Peru are vaccinated, although it is not known what percentage is protected. A vaccination against the dengue virus has been offered in the Netherlands since last year. According to the GDD, the vaccination would prevent 80 percent of infections and protect against serious complaints.