In 3 Months, Deaths due to Dengue Outnumber 2014 Total in São Paulo

04/02/2015 - 09h22

Deaths due to dengue fever in the State of São Paulo have outnumbered, in the first three months of the year, the total of registered deaths for the entire year of 2014.

Data collected by Folha in the top 60 municipalities with registered dengue infections shows that there have been at least 92 confirmed deaths - in contrast to 90 between January and December 2014.

The latest update to the number of infected people released by the State of São Paulo Health Department - which received data from the town halls, alas with some delay - suggested, past week, there had been 70 deaths across the 645 municipalities.

According to the department and to epidemiology specialists, due to the weather and to the insect's behavior, the disease should reach its peak in May. After that, with lower temperatures and less rain, number of infections should drop.

A vaccine capable of protecting against four types of dengue virus is being tested, but should only be ready next year.

Specialists suggest that there are no clear reasons that explain the evolution of the disease, but they mention some factors that may have contributed to it.

Some examples are that the epidemic hit cities with low immunity populations more harshly (due to not having registered cases in previous years) as well as the draught (which encouraged water storage at home).

Translated by CRISTIANE COSTA LIMA

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	Jorge Araujo/Folhapress
	Due to the weather and to the insect's behavior, the disease should reach its peak in May