Health Alerts

Infections transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes increased markedly from 2018-19, with one news source’s summary claiming a 488% hike in dengue fever notifications (1,544,987 cases), 52% for Zika virus infections (10,708) and 30% for chikungunya (132,205). The health department has warned that summer is the peak season for mosquito-borne infections and is encouraging a national mobilisation against the mosquito. And Paraguay is currently experiencing a dengue epidemic – more than 1,700 suspected cases each week are reported from the metropolitan region of Asunción alone, and with the weather favouring mosquito breeding to continue, there are fears this year could top the previous peak recorded in 2013. Read more.