Bolivia reinforces fumigation, dengue cases on the rise

Bolivian authorities on Thursday kicked off a fumigation campaign to prevent a further increase of dengue cases, which have peaked to its highest levels in 15 years. The country's health ministry had reported 33 deaths and 11,688 cases related to dengue so far in 2023.

The Epidemiology Chief at Health Services in La Paz, said that the caseload this year is about double the number from the same period last year. On Thursday, soldiers, municipality workers and volunteer residents were seen in Caranavi working to destroy mosquito nests and fumigate the streets. Dengue causes flu-like symptoms that most people recover from, but also can rapidly lead to internal bleeding, organ failure and even death.

There generally is no specific treatment for the disease, but vaccines are available. It is a leading cause of serious illness and death in roughly 120 Latin American and Asian countries.