South America health authorities reported that “they are prepared to deal with a possible strong epidemic of dengue, which is a viral disease transmitted by a mosquito bite that causes high fever, headaches, joint pain, diarrhea and vomiting.
They are worried about the most affected countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay and the emergence of the most dangerous variant of the disease, ‘the so-called severe dengue “, formerly known as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)’.

Professionals reported to international media, “DHF is the most lethal disease stage and it occurs when a person who was infected by one of the four dengue strains is infected again by a new serotype.

Dr. Marcia Moreira, dengue expert at the Pan American Health Organization, said “DHF can cause bleeding and health complications, which in some cases can be life threatening.

And she stressed that “the risks of death can be prevented if health services are prepared and have sufficient resources to address the effects of infection.”

“Currently there is no cure for dengue, so the only prevention is to avoid bites and stop the spread of aedes egyptian, the mosquito that transmits the virus,” dr. Moreira added.

She also recalled that “In 2009, the Southern Cone region experiencing its worst dengue epidemic in recent decades.

Experts express concern about the disease resurgence, with consequent increased risk of DHF. “

Brazil is the South American country with more cases and authorities announced that “five people have been killed by the disease, while another 350 are in serious condition’. Also ‘more than 12 thousand cases of dengue across the country have already registered’.

Bolivia Health Ministry confirmed a two-years-old girl’s death by DHF and 24 cases of regular dengue”.

Paraguay reported 314 cases of regular dengue and it warned about at least two different virus strains in the country.

Argentina confirmed 424 cases in Misiones province, located next to Paraguay. The critical situation in the border area is affecting one of the most visited tourist attractions of Argentina, the Iguazu Falls.

Doctors and unions in the area of Puerto Iguazú, located in Triple Frontier between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay reported that “cases of infection have been hidden in order that tourism is not affected and they asked for a declaration of emergency health “.

They also added that “It is estimated that some 60 people are treated every day in Puerto Iguazu in case they have been infected with dengue in an area that receives more than a million Argentine and foreign tourists every year.”
Missions governorate said there is no saturation or flooding of the health system and to prevent the spread of mosquito they are acting accordingly.

Argentine Health Ministry reported cases in Buenos Aires, Corrientes, Entre Rios and Santa Fe.

Argentina had last year, historic levels of the disease with around 50 thousand infected