Dengue outbreak forces Peru to declare health emergency

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Feb 11:15

More than 11,500 cases and 16 deaths due to the disease have been recorded so far in 2023.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes seen inside Oxitec laboratory in Campinas, Brazil, February 2, 2016 (Reuters)

Peru declared a "health emergency" on Thursday due to an outbreak of dengue in 13 departments north of the country.

According to an official notice, the health emergency is to remain in force for almost 3 months after the Health Ministry recorded more than 11,500 cases and 16 deaths in 2023 so far due to the dengue virus.

Peru witnessed a "considerable increase" in the number of those infected by the virus reaching up to 72% more cases than in 2022.

In 2022, the country had over 72,800 dengue cases and 84 deaths.

The dengue virus is spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, resulting in high fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, liver enlargement, and mucosal bleeding, alongside several other symptoms.

Read more: Mosquitoes Caught in Smart Traps

Symptoms last for almost a week, give or take, depending on the case. Some cases are fatal since there is not yet a treatment for dengue.

Neighboring country Bolivia also declared a health alert earlier this month to address its 6,800 cases and 26 deaths.