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Dengue fever outbreak in Bolivia Dengue fever outbreak in Bolivia
(about 2 hours later)
Bolivia has sounded the alarm about the country's worst outbreak of dengue fever for 22 years.Bolivia has sounded the alarm about the country's worst outbreak of dengue fever for 22 years.
The outbreak has already killed five people in the east of the country and infected more than 7,000.The outbreak has already killed five people in the east of the country and infected more than 7,000.
Bolivia is facing an epidemic in its tropical lowlands and its strained health system appears unable to cope.Bolivia is facing an epidemic in its tropical lowlands and its strained health system appears unable to cope.
Authorities have declared a health emergency. Worst hit is the region of Santa Cruz, bordering the Amazon and neighbouring Paraguay.Authorities have declared a health emergency. Worst hit is the region of Santa Cruz, bordering the Amazon and neighbouring Paraguay.
While classic dengue fever can be treated with antibiotics, more than a dozen of the reported cases have been of the lethal hemorrhagic variety. More than a dozen of the reported cases have been of dengue haemorrhagic fever or DHF, which if left untreated has a high mortality rate.
Bolivia's medical resources are already stretched to the limit, so a number of military facilities, especially in the city of Santa Cruz, have been turned into temporary hospitals.Bolivia's medical resources are already stretched to the limit, so a number of military facilities, especially in the city of Santa Cruz, have been turned into temporary hospitals.
Thousands of soldiers and medical workers have been enlisted to help.Thousands of soldiers and medical workers have been enlisted to help.
The government has allocated funds to supply the hospitals and step up fumigation, but many accuse the authorities of being slow to take action.The government has allocated funds to supply the hospitals and step up fumigation, but many accuse the authorities of being slow to take action.