Brasília - Yesterday the Ministry of Health launched a new campaign against dengue and announced that ads will be appearing in newspapers, magazines and on TV and radio. The motto of this year's campaign is "Don't let dengue ruin your summer."

Dengue is a worldwide public health problem. According to the World Health Organization, between 50 and 100 million people get the disease annually in 100 countries. That results in 550,000 hospitalizations and around 20,000 deaths.

Jarbas Barbosa, at the ministry, reports that in Brazil the disease is under control with the number of cases dropping from year to year. In 2003 the number of cases fell 91%, compared to 2002. This year cases are down 73%, compared to to 2003. The problem, says Barbosa, is that prevention has to be constant. "Every summer is dengue mosquito season and we have to be ready," he declared.

The Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which transmits dengue, thrives in urban environments where there is sitting water - something that is not very hard to find.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Lilian Macedo
Translator: Allen Bennett
11/4/2004