Death toll keeps rising

The World

Rescue workers continue to search for the dead more than a week after landslides leveled entire neighborhoods in the mountains north of Rio de Janeiro. The official death toll reached 809 this morning with another 469 people listed as missing. Brazilians responded to the tragedy by donating food, clothes and other goods for those in need. The Red Cross delivered 200 tons of donations in one week, a national record. Meanwhile authorities worry about disease outbreaks. Two residents have been diagnosed with leptospirosis, a bacterial infection transmitted though contact with contaminated soil or water. Because it can take up to 3 weeks to show symptoms, health officials are bracing for more.
 

Will you support The World with a monthly donation?

Every day, reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you. We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.

Make a gift today, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000!