Brazil: 94 deaths from dengue in 2024, the disease has been reported in more than 555,000 people.

Brazil will record 94 deaths from dengue in 2024, according to the Ministry of Health. Updated data current as of Friday (16) shows that 555,583 suspected cases have been reported in the country this year. Another 381 deaths are currently under investigation.

Brazil has seen an increase in dengue cases since the beginning of last year. In the first four weeks of 2024 alone, 243,720 suspected cases were reported, exceeding the total number of suspected cases reported in 2017 (239,389 cases). This corresponds to an increase of 273% compared to the same period in 2023.

In response to this situation, the Ministry of Health this week increased emergency reserves, allocating R$1.5 billion (about $380 million) to support states, municipalities and the Federal District. The fund will be allocated "for measures to prevent, control and limit risks in situations that may be epidemiologic, disaster-related or unassisted to the population," the ministry said.

At that time, investments were made to strengthen surveillance and control measures for Aedes aedes Egyptianus, the mosquito that transmits dengue, and to promote health surveillance measures.

Dengue is a disease transmitted by an infected female Aedes Egyptica mosquito that causes muscle pain, behind the eyes and headaches, constant gagging and lethargy.

Belo Horizonte declares a state of emergency

Belo Horizonte City Hall has declared a state of emergency due to an increase in dengue cases in the capital of Minas Gerais state. The order was published on Saturday (17) in the city's official gazette and is valid for six months. The city has registered 3,718 positive cases of dengue and 259 cases of chikungunya, according to the city administration.

The ordinance authorizes forced entry into public or private empty, unoccupied or abandoned premises without first consulting the owners, which will be done after three unsuccessful attempts on different days and hours. It will also be allowed to enter residential premises if agents are refused access to the place.

The number of dengue cases in early 2024 is already 17 times higher than the same period in 2023. At that time, the Municipal Health Department announced the data on February 17, and the number of people infected was 182 - an average of almost four cases per day.