Latin American countries urgently respond to dengue fever

　　According to the statistics released by the Pan American Health Organization, the overall incidence of dengue fever has been on the rise in many Latin American countries recently. Since 2023, the number of dengue cases in some countries in Central America, the Andean region and Caribbean countries including Cuba and Dominica has increased significantly, and some parts of some countries have declared a state of emergency.

　　Up to now, Peru has reported more than 76,000 cases of dengue fever, including 82 deaths. The number of cases of dengue fever in Lima, the capital, has increased fivefold compared with 2022, and the Peruvian government has declared a 120-day state of emergency in 20 regions. 333 people have died of dengue fever in Brazil this year. There are more than 20,000 cases of dengue fever in Bolivia, including 69 deaths. La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, issued an epidemiological red alert after the dengue fever epidemic expanded. Argentina has reported more than 93,000 confirmed cases of dengue fever and 56 deaths. Colombia has recorded over 28,000 cases of dengue fever this year. In addition, Costa Rica, Panama and Honduras reported 974 cases, 1,278 cases and 2,803 cases of dengue fever respectively.

　　Dengue fever is an acute viral infection spread by mosquitoes, and its typical symptoms include fever, headache and joint pain. Dengue fever is divided into common dengue fever and hemorrhagic dengue fever, and the latter has a higher mortality rate. The Pan American Health Organization warned that in the hottest and wettest months, the spread of dengue fever tends to expand. Maria Carmen, executive secretary of the Andean Health Organization, pediatrician and public health expert, believes that climate change makes the temperature higher. "The shortage of tap water and the imperfect drainage system force people in some areas to store clean water, which provides a favorable environment for the breeding of mosquitoes."

　　In some Latin American countries, the primary health care force and medical facilities are weak, which makes the treatment of severe dengue patients face challenges. According to the Ombudsman’s Office of Peru, in areas with high incidence of dengue fever, medical institutions are overwhelmed, the actual nursing demand is eight times that of nursing capacity, and some drugs are in short supply.

　　In order to control the spread of dengue fever, many health departments have taken emergency measures to deal with it. The Bolivian government has formulated a plan to fight dengue fever, carry out community cleaning and set up mobile medical points. Argentina’s health department has carried out large-scale mosquito control work throughout the country, and adopted anti-mosquito measures such as installing gauze. Peruvian health and epidemic prevention personnel go door-to-door to disinfect, publicize dengue fever prevention and control knowledge to the public, and distribute mosquito repellent supplies free of charge. Rosa Gutierrez palomino, Minister of Health of Peru, has asked people to take emergency preventive measures and follow the recommendations of the health department. At the same time, the country has allocated 35 million soles (1 yuan RMB is about 0.53 soles) to deal with this public health emergency.