Thousands succumb to epidemic of dengue fever

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http://www.detnews.com/2002/nation/0203/02/nation-430383.htm

Thousands succumb to epidemic of dengue fever

By a Gobbi and Tobar / Los Angeles Times

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- At least 23 people have died and tens of

thousands have become ill in the worst outbreak of dengue fever in Rio de

Janeiro in a decade. The epidemic is spreading to other Brazilian cities and

even has infected the nation's presidential race.

Heavy rains and layoffs in Rio's dengue prevention program have helped

spread the mosquito-borne illness, which had been wiped out in Brazil just a

generation ago. By last summer, dengue was in nearly every corner of Rio,

from its poor " favelas " to trendy beach communities.

" We are in a state of emergency, " said Flavio Souza, a doctor at Lourenco

Municipal Hospital, where dengue patients have formed long lines

outside the emergency room.

" It's so painful, your head seems to explode, " Francisco do Nacimento

said as he waited in line. Three other members of Nacimento's family also

came down with the illness this week. " Your body aches and shakes with high

fever. I haven't be able to work for 10 days. "

The epidemic has become a cultural phenomenon too, with samba songs

written about dengue and one soap opera working dengue into its story line

after several cast members fell ill. Giant mosquitoes appeared on floats in

this year's Carnaval parade.

Employers in Rio de Janeiro temporarily have lost about 10 percent of

their work force to the illness, according to a study by a local federation

of industrialists. Some companies have seen half their workers call in sick.

Health officials say the actual number of dengue cases might be four times

the official figure of 51,963 because many people don't report being ill.

Dengue is usually not fatal, although its symptoms include high fevers,

fatigue, lack of appetite and severe muscle and joint pain -- it is also

known as " breakbone fever. " People who repeatedly are exposed can develop a

more serious variant called dengue hemorrhagic fever, which causes internal

bleeding and can be fatal.

The outbreak has led to a shortage at Rio blood banks, with requests for

blood up by about 2,000 percent, said Luiz Amroim of Hemo-Rio, one of the

facilities. " If the number of donors does not increase quickly we will not

have enough blood to cover the demand, " Amroim said.

There are no vaccinations for dengue. Most people are told to rest and

drink plenty of liquids until the symptoms pass, usually after a week.

The epidemic might have claimed its first political casualty. Serra,

a member of the ruling Brazilian Social Democratic Party, has earned the

nickname " presidengue " -- he was health minister until resigning last week

to run for president.