Brazil closes in on 4 million dengue cases
The Brazil Ministry of Health reports 3,852,901 probable cases of dengue registered across the country through April 25.
In addition, 1,792 confirmed deaths from dengue have been reported in 2024, in addition to 2,216 deaths under investigation.
The majority of probable cases remain concentrated in the 20 to 29 year old age group, followed by the 30 to 39 year old age group, the 40 to 49 year old age group and the 50 to 59 year old age group. The least affected age group is children under 1 year old, followed by people aged 80 or over and children aged 1 to 4 years old.
Minas Gerais still accounts for the highest number of probable dengue cases (1,167,056). Next are São Paulo (927,065), Paraná (391,031) and Distrito Federal (232,899). The states with the lowest number of probable cases are Roraima (252), Sergipe (3,053), Amapá (4,480) and Rondônia (4,715).
When considering the incidence rate of the disease, the Federal District appears in first place, with 8,267.4 cases for each group of 100 thousand inhabitants. Next are Minas Gerais (5,682.2), Paraná (3,417.1) and Espírito Santo (2,994). The federative units with the lowest coefficient are Roraima (39.6), Ceará (109.3), Sergipe (138.2) and Maranhão (138.4).
Dengue is a disease caused by a virus spread through mosquito bites. The disease can take up to 2 weeks to develop with illness generally lasting less than a week.
Health effects from dengue include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle and joint pain, and minor bleeding.
Dengue can become severe within a few hours. Severe dengue is a medical emergency, usually requiring hospitalization.
In severe cases, health effects can include hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding), shock (seriously low blood pressure), organ failure, and death.