Mayor says Rio will face its worst dengue epidemic ever

01/09/2011 - 10h07

The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes (PMDB), said yesterday that the city will face its worst epidemic of dengue ever. For this reason, he will publish a decree in the government's official newspaper declaring a state of alert and determining measures for prevention.

One of the measures determines the compulsory entrance of health agents in closed or abandoned properties. City Hall will also fine -- the amount was not defined -- residents who do not participate in the prevention campaign.

Paes said a survey by the city's Health Department showed that 2011 data is similar to figures in 2001 and 2007 -- before the great 2002 and 2008 epidemics. There have been almost 68,000 cases this year.

"I am sorry to say that we will have one of the worst epidemics of dengue in history. We have had two great epidemics in Rio, in 2002 and 2008. In both, the numbers rose in the year before, and the same happened in 2011," said Paes.

"All evidence points to a new cycle of dengue, more intense and more wide-spread. It is certainly the worst in the history of Rio," he said. Paes added that research by specialists shows more cases of subtypes 1 and 4. The first had not occurred in years, and the second appeared in Rio for the first time this year. That raises risks of an epidemic, since fewer people are immune.

City Hall also said it will double to 3,605 the number of agents to fight the disease and will set up 30 hydrating centers for patients in the entire city.

It also will purchase new cars and equipment. The municipal Health Secretary, Hans Dohmann, said the city will have 40 fumigation vehicles and 60 portable units, allowing more efficient combat of the mosquito in its adult phase.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO