Many reports of dengue fever activity in Brazil

Many states and municipalities in Brazil are reporting variable numbers of cases of dengue fever. They include:

• Acre - based on the rate of infection (i.e., number of cases per 100,000 people), this state has the highest rate of all Brazilian states. In the second largest city, Cruzeiro do Sul, approximately 170 people seek medical care for dengue every week.
• Alagoas - 9 municipalities have reached epidemic levels of dengue fever; they include Maravilha, Santana do Ipanema, Senador Rui Palmeira, Major Izidoro, Mata Grande, Ouro Branco, Inhapi, Junqueiro and São Sebastião.
• Amazonas - approximately 2,000 cases statewide, mostly in the city of Manaus.
• Goiás - almost 800 suspected cases in Itumbiara.
• Minas Gerais - more than 30,000 cases. Municipality of Uberlândia is heavily affected.
• Pernambuco - almost 18,500 cases. 26 municipalities have reached epidemic levels of dengue.
• São Paulo - the city of Americana (population 224,551) reports approximately 130 to 180 people are consulting medical centres every day due to dengue. In addition, seven municipalities (Ibaté, Analândia, Boa Esperança do Sul, Corumbataí, Ribeirão Bonito, Rincão, and Santa Gertrudes) have reached epidemic levels of dengue.
• Rio Grande do Sul - more than 225 cases; most affected municipalities include Caibaté, Missões, Panambi, and Porto Alegre.

Many areas of Brazil are at high risk for dengue fever. Travellers to areas where the dengue fever virus is active can reduce their risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Many persons with dengue fever do not seek medical care and are not reported to health authorities. There may be many more cases in the community than the reports indicate.