Peru has declared a health emergency due to a surge in dengue fever cases, attributed to a heat wave and heavy rains.
Health Minister Cesar Vasquez reported 32 deaths and 31,300 cases this year (2024), up from 24,981.
Dengue, transmitted by mosquitoes, causes fever, nausea, and fatigue. Most cases are in Peru’s north, overwhelming hospitals.
Climate change exacerbates the issue, with warmer weather fostering mosquito breeding.
Last year, 428 people in Peru died from dengue, with 269,216 infected, according to official data.
Since 2023, the Andean nation has faced high temperatures and heavy rains due to the El Nino weather phenomenon, which has warmed the seas off Peru’s coastline.
Source: Oman News Agency