Dengue Fever Cases Surging

Despite the increase, number of cases still less than last epidemic in 2016

Brasília

Between March 16 and March 30, Brazil registered at 323 thousand cases of dengue fever, a 303% increase from the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Health. But the population level of 154.5 cases per 100 thousand people, is still considered moderate and not yet epidemic levels.

 The data represents a 40% increase from two weeks prior, which registered  229 thousand cases. 

Macro Photography of Yellow Fever Mosquito - Fotolia

 Compared to the same period of the previous year, this is a 303% increase, ending three years of decline. The region with the largest number of cases is the South-East, with 213 thousand cases or 66% of all registered; followed by the Center-West, with 56 thousand cases. 

 São Paulo registered 115 thousand cases, about 254 per 100 thousand habitants. In 2018, there were 4,647 cases. Despite the increase, the total number of dengue fever cases is still lower than the last epidemic in 2016, when there were 802 thousand cases between January and March 30. The country registered a record number of dengue fever cases that year. 

 Between January and March, 86 deaths were attributed to the disease, compared to 51 in the same period last year. The total number of cases under investigation was not disclosed.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

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