Peru faces worst dengue outbreak; children are affected

Peru is facing its worst dengue outbreak in more than a decade, with at least 31 children and adolescents dead from the disease and another 45,900 infected with the deadly virus, it warns save the children organization with more than 40 years of presence in these areas.

The country has amassed more than 150,294 cases since January 2023, significantly higher than the previous peak of 74,000 cases in 2017. The death toll from the virus outbreak has risen to 252, in a country that usually sees an average of around 28,000 cases a year, with peaks during of El Niño weather events.

This dengue epidemic affects 18 of the country’s 24 regions where a state of emergency has been declared. The epidemic of dengue fever also caused the interruption of classes, and in some areas it was decided to return to virtual education, which was interrupted by the fall the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, the overwhelming number of cases overwhelmed the capacity of local hospitals and health centers, limiting access to timely medical care.

Children and adolescents represent more than 30% of all cases in the latest epidemic in Peru, and those from regions of Piura and Lambayequewhich represent the main symptoms of dengue fever: fever, sleepiness, lack of energy or irritability, rash, vomiting and unusual bleeding in the most severe cases.

Worrying figures show the high vulnerability of children and adolescents to this disease and the need to strengthen measures to prevent and control dengue fever, which is transmitted Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Dealing with this dengue outbreak has been a challenge for Peru as warmer weather conditions and heavy rains provide an ideal breeding ground for dengue-carrying mosquitoes. These conditions intensified with the arrival Cyclone Yaku at the beginning of the year, the first in the country in 40 years.

The effects of the climate crisis make it difficult to stop the epidemic despite the intensification of fumigation and the removal of breeding sites.

Dengue is common in tropical areas of the world and outbreaks are typical during rainy seasons. Children and adolescents are especially susceptible to the disease because their immune systems are weaker than adults and they often play outdoors, where protection from mosquitoes is weaker.

“Children and adolescents in Peru are particularly vulnerable to dengue, and the high case rates are particularly worrisome. Peru desperately needs stronger national leadership to establish policies to prevent and respond to such outbreaks. We must prioritize children and adolescents, as well as improving investment in public health and strengthening preventive measures to eradicate mosquito breeding sites,” he warns Verónica Valdivieso, director of Save the Children Peru.

As part of the comprehensive response to the emergency situation caused by rains and floods, Save the children distributes safe water kits, hygiene kits, disinfection kits to shelters and educational institutions and supports vector control through fumigation in coordination with the Ministry of Health.

In addition, a preventive campaign was carried out with messages aimed at children and adolescents, which were disseminated in homes and schools, with the potential to be replicated more widely.