Brazil battles dengue outbreak

Brazil battles dengue outbreak
Story Highlights
Governor says he may ask Cuba to send doctors to help with epidemic

More than 45,000 people infected; at least 67 have died

Mosquito-borne illness causes high fever, headaches, joint pain
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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) -- A Brazilian official says he is considering asking Cuba to send doctors to help care for the victims of a burgeoning dengue epidemic that has infected more than 45,000 people, killing at least 67.

An 11-year-old boy is seen by a military doctor last weekend at a field hospital west of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro Gov. Sergio Cabral said he would wait until the weekend to decide whether it was necessary to ask for help from abroad.

Earlier this week, the government appealed to other Brazilian states to send 154 pediatricians to help out with the epidemic.

The military has also been called up to help fight the mosquito-borne disease that causes high fever, headaches and joint pains but is not usually fatal.

So far, the armed forces have set up three field hospitals, but a shortage of doctors has complicated treatment efforts. E-mail to a friend

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All About Brazil • Contagious and Infectious Diseases

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/04/03/brazil.dengue.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview