Peru declared a health emergency in most parts of the country on Monday after a heat wave and heavy rains led to a spike in dengue fever cases. (Representational image: Wikimedia commons)  
MedBound Blog

Peru Declares Health Emergency Amid Rising Dengue Outbreak

The Peruvian government will declare a state of health emergency in 20 of its 25 regions as of Feb. 27, 2024.

MBT Desk

Peru has declared a health emergency due to the rapidly rising cases of dengue fever across the South American country.

Health Minister Cesar Vasquez said Monday that more than 31,000 cases of dengue have been recorded in the first eight weeks of 2024, including 32 deaths. 

Vasquez said the emergency will cover 20 of Peru’s 25 regions. 

Dengue is a viral disease that spreads to people through mosquito bite.(Representational image: Unsplash)

Dengue is a mosquito-borne illness that is passed to humans from a mosquito bite. Symptoms of dengue include fevers, severe headaches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and body aches. 

Peru has been experiencing high temperatures and heavy rains since 2023 due to the El Nino weather pattern, which has warmed the seas off the country’s coast and helped mosquito populations grow. 

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters.

(VOA/VV)

Also read:Hospital Sanitation Worker and Doctor Raped a Dengue Patient, Pak Origin Doctor on Run

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