The Brazilian health authorities have declared a health emergency in Rio de Janeiro on the eve of the carnivalwhich is scheduled to start on February 9th. The goal is to try to contain the explosion of dengue fever cases, a mosquito-borne disease whose cases quadrupled in Brazil in January compared to the same month last year. In Rio alone, 10,000 cases of dengue have been recorded so far this year compared to 23,000 for the whole of 2023.
Dengue, the symptoms
Dengue can cause fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and a patchy rash. Rio City Hall has announced the opening of 10 treatment centers for dengue patients. “Early treatment makes the difference,” said Daniel Soranz, Rio's health chief, explaining that the goal is to reduce the number of serious cases and deaths caused by the infection.
Brazilian Health Minister Nisia Trindade urged people to check their homes and get rid of standing water, where mosquitoes that transmit dengue breed.
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