Brazil: Thousands ill with Dengue in Rio

The outbreak of Dengue Fever in Rio de Janeiro has reached epidemic proportions, with thousands of cases reported to the medical authorities.

339 new cases of dengue were registered last weekend, bringing to 2,777 the total number of people infected by this disease in January, which is a virus carried by the mosquito. Severe cases can degenerate into haemorrhagic fever, the symptoms of which are similar to Ebola.

So far only one death has been caused by the haemorrhagic form of the disease. Meanwhile, the National Health Foundation is launching a programme to eradicate the disease. Thousands of soldiers are destroying the mosquito larvae with sprays in their breeding areas.