Rio de Janeiro has declared a state of public health emergency due to an epidemic of dengue fever, just days before Carnival celebrations are set to take place across Brazil.
The city’s mayor Eduardo Paes announced the move on Monday, according to CNN affiliate CNN Brasil, in an effort to contain the spread of the mosquito-borne disease, which causes flu-like symptoms and can lead to death in extreme cases. The surge in dengue cases has added urgency to a planned nationwide vaccination drive and also comes as Rio gears up for its world-famous Carnival, which officially starts on Friday.
It causes piercing headaches, muscle and joint pains, fever and rashes, though only 25% of those infected show symptoms. Extreme cases can bring bleeding, shock, organ failure, and potentially death. Dengue is the most common virus transmitted by mosquitos, infecting millions of people worldwide every year, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.