Peru’s government has declared a state of emergency in three provinces in the region of Ucayali due to a dengue outbreak, state news agency Andina reported.
The 60-day state of emergency was declared in the provinces of Coronel Portillo, Padre Abad, and Atalaya.
The government said Friday that 11 people have died in Ucayali from dengue and more than 3,000 cases have been reported of the disease.
Dengue fever, or breakbone fever, is a tropical disease caused by four types of the dengue virus, spread by mosquitoes, and strikes people with low levels of immunity. The symptoms are similar to those of a bad flu, including headaches and severe joint pains. One of the main breeding grounds is stagnant or still pools of water.
Outbreaks of dengue occur mainly in the jungle regions but cases have been reported on the coast. An informational campaign was carried out in the Lima area during the 2012 summer.
