Brazil Reported 573 Deaths from Dengue So Far

Official figures revealed that at least 573 people have died from dengue in Brazil so far this year, nearly twice the figure reported in 2012.

Last year, 292 deaths were recorded and 473 in 2011, according to the health ministry.

Two US Cities Exposed to Risk of Dengue Fever
As dengue continues to spread from Key West north into the Florida mainland, it remains a mystery as to why this dangerous mosquito-borne illness is not yet common around Tucson, Arizona.

The highest death toll was in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais (116), followed by Sao Paulo state (72), Goias (58), Ceara in the northeast (54) and Rio de Janeiro state (48).

The total number of serious cases reported so far this year reached 6,566, leading authorities in 157 cities to declare a state of alert, including in Rio, Manaus, Salvador and Fortaleza, host cities for next year's World Cup.

Brazil is frequently afflicted with the disease, which is caused by four strains the virus that are spread by the mosquito Aedes aegypti.

New Study Could Help Cut Dengue Risk
Certain household risk factors combined with changes in rainfall and minimum temperature could help decrease the risk of dengue, say researchers.

Dengue affects between 50 and 100 million people in the tropics and subtropics each year, causing fever, muscle and joint ache as well as potentially fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome.

There is no vaccine, which is why scientists are focusing so intensely on mosquito control.

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The number of dengue cases in Delhi has risen to 4,618 from 4,402 on Oct 28, a municipal health official said Monday.

But last month, Brazilian scientists began clinical tests on humans of a new vaccine against the four strains of the dengue virus.

Source-AFP

Nicaragua: Dengue Death Toll Rises to 16
Dengue epidemic in Nicaragua has claimed the life of a 13-year-old boy, raising the death toll there to 16 people, say sources.