7,000 infected in Bolivia dengue fever outbreak

by Marisa Olivia | February 3, 2009 at 11:41 am
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Bolivia is currently seeing its worst outbreak of dengue fever in 22 years. 

The outbreak has already killed five people in the east of the country and infected more than 7,000.

The region of Santa Cruz, in the tropical lowlands and mostly covered by rainforests, is the worst hit so far.

Mortality from dengue fever is typically around 5%, but can increase dramatically if left untreated.  Those who have already had dengue fever once, and survived, can be much worse affected if infected a second time.

The government has declared a health emergency, amid greater strains on a health care system already in crisis.

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