Peru is currently witnessing the largest recorded outbreak of dengue fever.
As the numbers of infections and fatalities continue to rise daily, the Peruvian Health Minister resigned late on Thursday (15th), following criticism in Congress for her handling of the health crisis.
Authorities report at least 248 deaths and 147,000 infections.
The northern region of Peru, unfamiliar with such a severe dengue fever outbreak, attributes the infection surge to the high temperatures and rainfall experienced in the first quarter of the year.
The dengue fever outbreak has led to the collapse of hospitals in northern regions such as Piura, one of the hardest-hit areas where 82 out of 248 deaths across Peru were reported as of June 13th.
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Peru has the second-highest mortality rate in Latin America after Brazil, with overall figures exceeding the average of the past five years by 365%.
Dengue fever, endemic in tropical areas, causes symptoms such as high fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, and in severe cases, bleeding which can be fatal.
According to Dr. Valerie Paz Soldán from Cayetano Heredia University, the epidemic has spiraled “out of control”.
The infectious disease expert also warns of a potentially worse situation due to climate change and the El Niño phenomenon, predicting increased rainfall and the possibility of the virus remaining present throughout the year.
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