Brazil has recorded more than 1.8 million probable cases of dengue since the start of the year, an annual record for the country that was broken in just over two and a half months.
In total, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Brazilian Ministry of Health today, 1,889,206 probable cases have been registered, 561 deaths, and 1,020 deaths are under investigation.
The previous record for probable annual cases with 1,688,688 was in 2015.
In the first decade of the 2000s, Brazil recorded just over 400,000 cases per year on average, but from 2011 to 2023 this number rose to more than 1 million.
Brazil had already surpassed the 2023 total last week.
Experts blame the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon and high temperatures for the increase in infection cases.
This weekend, the southern states of Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul joined the states of Acre, Goiás, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Minas Gerais and the Federal District, which have already declared a state of emergency.
In February, Brazil became the first country in the world to introduce a dengue vaccine through the public health system, although the low number of doses available limits its implementation.
Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
