Paraguay official latest casualty in dengue fever outbreak
Pastor Dale Morgan
Paraguay official latest casualty in dengue fever outbreak*
POSTED: 2102 GMT (0502 HKT), March 2, 2007
Story Highlights
• In January and February, 15,000 were infected, compared with 1,600 all
last year
• Ten people have died, but some doctors and legislators say the toll is
higher
• The official's death came as hospital workers called on the health
minister to quit
ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) -- A high-ranking official at Paraguay's Health
Ministry died Friday, the latest casualty in a months-long epidemic of
dengue fever infecting thousands of people in Paraguay.
Maria Catalina Roa, who oversaw registered nurses in all public
hospitals, was hospitalized two weeks ago after contracting the
mosquito-borne illness.
In January and February, 15,000 people were infected, compared with just
1,600 all last year, according to official figures. Ten people have died.
Some doctors say the actual toll is much higher, since many infected
Paraguayans don't seek professional treatment. Opposition legislators
say the actual number may be as high as 130,000.
Roa's death was announced as about 500 protesting hospital workers
demanded the resignation of Health Minister Oscar Martinez.
"Our leaders are negligent, inept," said Carlos Cubas, one of the
demonstrators. "Our comrade Maria Catalina, who fought to preserve the
life of hundreds of people, has died today. This is a very sad day."
President Nicanor Duarte declared a two-month national state of
emergency and allocated funds to fumigate breeding areas for
disease-spreading Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which have flourished in the
unusually wet weather afflicting central South America.
On Friday, Duarte met with emergency officials to improve support for
public hospitals, especially in rural areas.
The government has asked for help from the United States and Argentina
to determine what types of dengue are present in the current epidemic.
Four of the 10 fatalities were among 40 cases of the more severe
hemorrhagic form of dengue, which causes a sudden high fever, rash,
aches, weakness, restlessness and even internal bleeding. Many others
apparently have classic dengue -- also called bonebreak fever -- which
causes fever, intense headaches, and joint and muscle pain.
Dengue fever is common in Latin America. Recent outbreaks have been
reported in Peru, Brazil, Mexico and even Easter Island, Chile's
possession in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.