Peru has declared a state of emergency in most of its provinces due to an increase in the number of dengue fever cases.
This is reported by the Associated Press, Ukrinform reports.
The health emergency will allow the country's government to transfer funds faster funds to the affected regions, as well as transport doctors and nurses. It is being introduced in 20 of the country's 24 provinces, including the regions surrounding the capital Lima.
According to the country's Ministry of Health, the number of dengue fever cases reported in the first seven weeks of this year, double the more than 31,000 cases reported in the same period in 2023.
In the first two months of this year, 32 Peruvians died from the virus.
"It's serious problem. And it's getting out of control,” Health Minister Cesar Vázquez said last week, before the emergency was declared.
The disease is spread by the Aedys Egypti mosquito, which breeds in hot, humid conditions. Although most cases of Dengue have mild symptoms, the disease can cause severe headache, fever and muscle pain.
As Ukrinform reported, more than half of Argentina's provinces have recorded more than 39.5 thousand cases of dangerous Dengue fever, 29 of which were fatal.