Dengue fever reported by many countries in South America

Significant numbers of cases of dengue fever are being reported by the following countries through mid-March:

• Bolivia - 358 cases
• Colombia - 22,140 cases
• Ecuador - 2,348 cases
• Peru - almost 7,000 cases and 3 deaths; affected region is La Libertad
• Argentina - more than 600 cases; Cordoba is most affected area.
• Brazil - more than 227,000 cases with 70 or more deaths nationwide; affected states include Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina; São Paulo (more than 100,000 cases with 14,000 new cases in 3 days)
• Chile - 7 cases
• Paraguay - more than 7,600 cases

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.