Emergency declared as Peru battles dengue fever surge

By Nuri Aydin

LIMA (AA) - Peru declared a health emergency on Tuesday due to an increase in dengue fever cases in recent weeks.

The Health Ministry announced that the number of recorded dengue cases in the 7 weeks of this year has doubled compared to the same period last year.

The ministry reported that against 18 deaths in 2023, 32 people have died so far this year, with cases exceeding 31,000 in 2024.

Health experts said the emergency will enable the government to provide financial support and deploy health personnel to affected areas.

The emergency will be confined to the capital Lima and 24 other regions.

Health Minister Cesar Vasquez stressed the severity of the situation last week, saying: “This is a big problem and it is getting out of control.”

Last year, dengue fever caused significant disruptions in the healthcare system, with thousands of people receiving treatment in intensive care units.

On Feb. 25, 2023, 13 health regions declared an emergency due to an increase in dengue fever cases.

Dengue fever, a tropical and subtropical disease, is transmitted by mosquitoes and causes mild fever after incubation, but can potentially lead to death in some cases.

Cases typically rise during the rainy seasons of March, June, September, and December.

Scientists warn that high temperatures and prolonged rainfall are increasing the number of mosquitoes carrying malaria and dengue fever.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi