Guide Note:
During March and April in 2008, the people of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil battled a deadly outbreak of dengue fever. The disease has been resurgent in Brazil in recent years.
During the week of April 1, 2008, military personnel intervened in the worst hit areas of Rio by spraying insecticide and setting up tents with emergency hospital care.1
As of April 3, 2008, the epidemic had killed 67 people in Rio, of which, just under half of the fatalities were children younger then 13.2
The outbreak has been blamed on the increase of unplanned, densely populated shantytowns.
Fast Facts:
- Location: Rio de Janerio, Brazil
- Disease: Dengue fever
- Spread by: Aedes aegypti
- Cases reported: Over 55,0002
- Cannot be spread from person to person
- Endemic in over 100 countries
- Kills around 21,000 people every year
About Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is an infectious disease that can be caused by a four serotypes of Flavivirus, a genus of virus transmitted via mosquito bites.3 Mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person with the virus, then spread the disease when they bite a new victim. Because the illness can be caused by any four serotypes of the virus, it is possible to fall ill with dengue fever multiple times.
Areas of Concern
Dengue fever is most common in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Outbreaks of dengue fever usually occur in the rainy season.3
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor for information on on the dengue epidemic in Brazil.
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