Latin America Hit by Virulent Form of Dengue Fever, Death Toll on the Rise Hispanically Speaking News
go to original July 29, 2013

Dengue is a potentially fatal disease spread by infected female mosquitoes of the Aedes aegypti species. Bed nets are of little use because this species of mosquito also bites during the day. With no vaccine and more than 2.5 billion people worldwide at risk of infection, new methods to prevent the spread of this debilitating disease are urgently needed. (Wellcome Trust)

Central and Latin America are being hitting by a potent form of dengue fever resulting in escalating death tolls.

The mosquito-based outbreak has killed 26 people and infected nearly 40,000 thus far in 2013.  While dengue fever is common throughout Central and Latin America, due to the warm/humid climate, this strain of dengue is particularly aggressive.  Authorities are perplexed by the outbreak since Central American weather has been usually dry this year.

Honduras has been the hardest hit by the mosquito-born illness, with 15 reported deaths and over 17,000 reported infections.  More worrisome is that nearly 600 cases of hemorrhagic dengue have been reported which is the deadlier form of the illness.  Earlier this month U.S. government officials issued a travel warning for those planning on traveling to the country.

... Dengue is passed from person-to-person by mosquitoes.  Symptoms range from high fever to body aches to internal bleeding.  There is no vaccine for dengue or treatment for the disease once you get it.  Mosquito control currently is the only known way to reduce the risks of the illness.

Read the rest at Hispanically Speaking News

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