Dengue situation worsening in Rio de Janiero

CNN carries today a tragic report on the worsening dengue situation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. According to the report, the number of dengue fever cases this year has reached 57,010 , while the number of DHF cases exceeded 513. There were 67 deaths connected to dengue so far, with more than half of those in children below the age of 13. Judged by the report, the public health infrastructure is clearly overwhelmed, with patients transported to 3 military field hospitals near the city (see shocking images at the same CNN report). Authorities are considering to invite assistance from Cuba, where physicians are very experienced at treating dengue. Average hospital waits range from 8 to 28 hrs at different hospitals in the city. Earlier this week, the government also asked other Brazilian states to send hundreds of their physicians to help save the population in Rio. The Brazilian army is also contributing to the efforts. I would encourage any reader of the blog from the region to submit their firsthand reports.