Brazil: Dengue outbreak leaves 74 dead in Minas Gerais state as of mid-June

Event

Health officials in Minas Gerais state have reported 399,522 suspected cases of dengue fever as of mid-June. Officials have also confirmed the outbreak has resulted in at least 74 deaths statewide, with an additional 127 fatal cases under investigation. The deaths were recorded in Betim, Belo Horizonte, Uberlândia, Contagem, Unaí, Arcos, Frutal, Ibirité, Paracatu, Curvelo, João Monlevade, João Pinheiro, Lagoa da Prata, Martinho Campos, Passos, São Gonçalo do Pará, Uberaba, Vazante, Patos de Minas, Rio Paranaíba, and São Gotardo. 

Authorities are continuing to implement public health measures, including fumigation campaigns aimed at eliminating mosquito breeding grounds, to hinder the further spread of the disease.

Context

Governor Romeu Zema declared a public health emergency in the state of Minas Gerais on April 23 due to the ongoing dengue outbreak. The emergency declaration - active through June 30 - allocates BRL 4 million to address the outbreak across 93 municipalities, including in Belo Horizonte.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease found mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rash. In a small number of cases, the potentially deadly dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) may develop, resulting in internal bleeding, enlargement of the liver, and high fever.

Advice

Individuals present in Minas Gerais state 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.).