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Biosecurity Briefing
Brazil Continues to Struggle with Dengue By Kunal Rambhia, April 11, 2008 On April 9, 2008, Agence France Presse reported that dengue has infected more than 75,000 in Brazil so far. In Rio de Janeiro, the state hit hardest by the outbreak, 18,000 new infections and 12 deaths were reported in the last week.1 In response to the epidemic, the Brazilian government called on 1,200 military personnel to set up tent hospitals “to cope with the large number of people affected.” 1 The army is also helping the health staff by “fumigating areas that may contain mosquito colonies.”1 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported that the military has established 130 rehydration points for people suffering from dengue. Because public hospitals have been overwhelmed by the volume of patients, “the government has even ordered and paid for the treatment of some patients in private health care facilities.”2 The Governor of Rio, Sergio Cabral, suggested that “he may appeal to Cuba for doctors to help treat patients.” 1 In related news, Reuters reported on April 9, 2008, that 34 people were killed and 190,000 left homeless in Brazil following heavy rains. Authorities fear that the rains will contribute to the outbreak of dengue because “as the rains abate and water levels recede” it will leave “pools for mosquitoes to breed in.”3 References
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