Since January 2010, Brazil has seen a 90% increase in deaths from Dengue as compared to the same period last year. Many of the deaths have been from type 1 Dengue, which had been largely absent in Brazil since the 1990s. Health officials are particularly concerned about the dramatic increase in cases, as Brazil now enters its six-month rainy season. During this time frequent downpours cause standing water to become mosquito breeding ponds. The health ministry is launching a campaign to educate the public through TV and radio ads as well as through the distribution of flyers.
In other Dengue news, Miami has reported its 1st case of dengue fever in 50 years. This news comes 4 months after health authorities announced 1000 probable cases in Key West, FL. This news marks the likely resurgence of dengue in the state of Florida.
