Epidemic of Dengue fever in Brazil

[Ruben]

My company just sent out a memo that all nonessential business travel to Brazil be suspended until further notice. There is a rapidly worsening epidemic of dengue fever in Rio de Janeiro. State health authorities estimates about 130,000 cases since January and it's worsening. There is no vaccine for dengue ferver.

IF want to know more about Dengue fever:   www.biohaven.com/dengue.htm

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Epidemic of Dengue fever in Brazil, posted by Ruben on Mar 8, 2002


I have done some reading on this.

It seems that much of the concern is centered in Rio.

I think there were a lot of people who were very worried about Carnival.

Anyone going to Rio CERTAINLY ought to read up on this.

There were predictions that the plague would spread to Sao Paulo, but I could find no news stories that talked about any evidence that it has.

Rio has already had more instances of Dengue this year (in two months) as it had all of last year...

It seems to be spread most by the mosquito... so if you are going to Rio, at least take mosquito repellant!

[HappyInBrazil]

... in response to Of some concern -- but mainly Rio, posted by MarkInTx on Mar 8, 2002

Most of the news I've seen on TV about it here in Brazil focuses on mosquito control by cleaning up standing water.  I did see one news show which included people that were hospitalized, mostly elderly or people that were otherwise in some weakened condition prior to getting the virus.  I didn't see much in the news about high mortality.  If it is the same as the Dengue strain that they have here in Belem, it is like a bad flu where you ache and are uncomfortable and stay in bed for about a week.  Also peoples eyes seem to be half shut and red.

It's a possible risk of traveling, but I would not consider it a higher risk than visiting a city with a flu epidemic.  Just my opinion.