Dengue fever in Brazil - weekly summary

The following states and localities are reporting on-going transmission of the dengue fever virus:

• Minas Gerais - major epidemics continue with 186 deaths; affected areas include Belo Horizonte (44 deaths), Juiz de Fora and Montes Claros
• Acre - decrease in reported dengue fever cases
• Pernambuco - 33 deaths so far; affected areas include Recife and Jaboatão dos Guararapes
• Paraná - slight decrease in cases due to cooler weather; affected area includes Londrina
• Santa Catarina - affected area is Itapema
• Rio Grande do Sul - local transmission in Porto Alegre
• Ceará - epidemic levels in 19 cities; city of Tauá is most affected

Advice

The absence of reports from other states does not mean that there is no dengue fever transmission there. The risk of exposure will vary from place to place and may be high in many localities.

All 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.