Brazil battles deadly dengue epidemic in Rio

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) — Brazilian authorities are taking emergency measures in Rio de Janeiro to fight a dengue fever outbreak that has killed 54 people and infected more than 43,000 across the state.

Health officials said the city of Rio -- the country's prime tourist destination -- was the worst hit, and children made up more than half the fatalities.

Another 60 deaths were being investigated to see whether they resulted from the tropical disease, which is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitos.

The toll for the first three months of this year exceeds the total from all of 2007, state officials said.

Rio's municipal Civil Defense service has been mobilized and given special powers to enter into private buildings at any time of day or night without...