Peru: Dengue outbreak continues to spread as of February 19 /update 1

Event

A dengue fever outbreak is ongoing in Peru as of Wednesday, February 19. The country's Ministry of Health has reported at least 6885 confirmed or possible cases along with 12 associated fatalities. A 90-day health emergency for Loreto, Madre de Dios, and San Martín regions remains in place and fumigation efforts are ongoing to remove mosquito breeding areas. The most affected regions include Madre de Dios, Loreto, San Martín, Ucayali, Junín, Cusco, and Tumbes.

Further spread of the outbreak is likely over the coming weeks.

Context

According to the Minister of Health, the current outbreak is a different serotype of the disease that has not been seen in the country since 1990.

Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rashes. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, the enlargement of the liver, and hemorrhaging.

Advice

Individuals in Peru are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites (e.g. by wearing covering clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping in a screened-in or air-conditioned room) and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds on their properties (e.g. small pockets of fresh water, such as rainwater that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).