The latest epidemiological report of the Argentine health authorities on the dengue fever outbreak mentions 129 deaths and a total of 180,529 cases since the beginning of the 2023-2024 season until the 12th week of 2024. Among the dead is the country's first celebrity - the 33-year-old wife of a professional golfer, who died over the weekend.
Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin stayed at home Monday after being diagnosed with Covid-19, Agencia Brasil reported. Alckin is also Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services.
Tech giants Google plan to link Chile with Australia and French Polynesia through the Humboldt cable, which would become first direct submarine link between South America and Oceania, thus expanding the digital infrastructure of the South Pacific.
Uruguay has reported 224 cases of the mosquito transmitted disease dengue, including three related deaths, of which 113 are identified as autochthonous and 111 imported, according to the latest release (March 30) from the country's Public Health Ministry, MSP. The release also mentions imported cases of chikungunya (1) from Brazil and zika (2) from Southeast Asia.
Rio de Janeiro City authorities Friday announced that the dengue fever epidemic in the country's former capital was over, Agencia Brasil reported. The worst part of the outbreak was recorded between Feb. 18 and 24.
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Latin America is looking ahead at the worst dengue season in history, mainly due to the global increase in temperatures and extreme weather. The worst scenario is likely to occur in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.
Uruguay's Health Ministry (MSP) Zoonosis and Vectors Director Gabriela Willat said Monday that they are the flood mosquitoes, which breed in puddles and hatch at the same time. She made those remarks as the number of dengue cases is soaring in neighboring Argentina and Brazil while an increase is expected locally following the current Tourism Week holiday, the country's lay version of the Easter Week recess.
Health Ministers from Argentina's 24 districts (23 provinces plus the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires -CABA-) convened Monday with their federal government colleague, Mario Russo, to review the situation of dengue fever nationwide and agreed to review the use of the Japanese-developed Qdenga vaccine next year.
An expedition to study Antarctic krill and the baleen whales that feed upon them is underway in the Antarctic Peninsula. The project is funded by the UK Government through Darwin Plus.
Brazilian authorities have confirmed 1,889,206 positive cases of dengue fever so far this year, thus surpassing 2015's 1,688,688 and 2023's 1,658,816, it was reported. In addition to 630 confirmed fatalities, another 1,009 deaths are under investigation since Jan. 1 to determine whether they were caused by dengue or by another pathogen.