Dengue fever kills 12 in Rio de Janeiro
Dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes, is estimated to affect around 50 million people around the world, says the WHO.
Here’s one more reason to hate the mosquitoes constantly buzzing through our apartment in Rio de Janeiro: they might kill us. The health department here just reported that the state of Rio is in the grip of a dengue fever epidemic, a disease spread by biting insects that proves fatal in some cases. The disease has infected 25,475 people city-wide and 45,489 across the state of Rio de Janeiro, city officials said. So far 12 people have died. If you're coming to Brazil, pack some DEET—and maybe throw in an extra bottle for us.
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