Rio favela on alert as dengue cases spike in Brazil
Residents of a Rio de Janeiro favela are on alert for a spike in dengue cases in the Brazilian city, just days ahead of Carnival celebrations. - REUTERS
Transcript
00:00 Authorities are warning people in this Rio de Janeiro favela to stay vigilant against
00:06 dengue just days before the carnival weekend.
00:10 The mosquito-borne illness has surged in Brazil's hot, rainy season, prompting health authorities
00:16 to take emergency measures and start mass vaccinations.
00:22 In Ladeira, officials are on the hunt for potential mosquito breeding grounds.
00:29 This resident says she changes her dog's water and sprays insecticide in her home to try
00:34 to stay safe.
00:36 So far this year, dozens of people have died from confirmed cases of dengue.
00:41 Nearly 365,000 cases were reported in the first five weeks of the year, according to
00:47 the health ministry.
00:50 That's four times as many compared to the same period last year.
00:55 Symptoms include a high fever, headache, vomiting, pain and an itchy rash.
01:02 "I have been feeling this pain for four days," says patient Vilma Maria.
01:09 "A lot of pain in my body, pain in my eyes.
01:13 I can't even raise my head because I feel like I'm going to faint," she adds.
01:21 Authorities have warned revelers gearing up for Carnival to stay in dengue-free areas
01:25 of the city.
01:27 South America is seeing a spike in cases during the Southern Hemisphere summer.
01:32 Scientists say it's exacerbated by rising temperatures and the El Nino weather pattern
01:36 in the Pacific that contribute to prolonged dengue seasons and spread of infections.