Rapid increase in dengue infections in Brazil A soldier is said to have shot four people in Germany

Dengue fever is currently spreading at an unusually high rate in Brazil. In the first two months of the year, 1,017,278 confirmed or probable infections were counted in the South American country, the Ministry of Health announced on Thursday (local time). That is almost five times as many cases as in the same period last year (207,475). In addition, health authorities counted 214 confirmed deaths, and 687 others are still under investigation for links to the dengue virus. Six states and the Capital District have declared public health emergencies.

The heavy rains and high temperatures of recent months are likely to be the reason for the sharp increase. Under these conditions, the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti), which transmits dengue viruses, can develop particularly well. The massive spread of dengue fever has also reached other countries on the continent: at the beginning of the week, the Peruvian government declared a state of emergency for most of the country. The number of cases has also increased significantly in Argentina recently.

To contain the spread of the disease, the Brazilian Ministry of Health has declared this Saturday a “D-Day”. On this day, people across the country should help combat mosquitoes by draining breeding grounds such as flower pot saucers. In addition, a vaccination campaign with a new dengue vaccine started in Brazil in February.

Dengue fever – also called ‘bone-breaking disease’ because of the severe pain it causes – is widespread in the tropics and subtropics. However, the course is often mild and not everyone who is infected shows symptoms. (saw/sda/dpa)