The Brazilian state of Sao Paulo has surpassed half a million people infected with the dengue virus, and 250 people have died as a result of complications from the disease since the beginning of this year. The data was published on Wednesday afternoon, April 10, by the São Paulo State Department of Health, SES-SP.
To date, according to this regional government body, 512,348 residents of São Paulo have been infected with the Dengue virus. Of these, 638 contracted the most serious form of the disease, requiring special hospital treatment, and some did not survive.
In addition to these more than 500,000 confirmed cases, state health authorities are still investigating an additional 159,839 cases suspected of being caused by dengue but requiring laboratory confirmation. Both the state of São Paulo and the city of São Paulo remain under public health emergencies due to the dengue epidemic, which is usually at its most severe in April and May.
The number of dengue deaths could be much higher than the 250 confirmed by SES-SP this Wednesday. However, according to a new report from the agency, another 542 deaths believed to be caused by the virus are being investigated to confirm the cause or not.
As for the state capital, Sao Paulo, the number of confirmed cases has reached 145,926. The number of deaths in the city as of this Wednesday was 39, with another 137 suspicious deaths still under investigation.