Argentina dengue: Record fever outbreak kills over 40
Argentina is battling a record outbreak of dengue fever, which has killed more than 40 people and infected more than 60,000, mainly in the north-west. The infection is spread by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and the last big outbreak to hit Argentina was in 2020. The health ministry says dengue cases are starting to plateau, however. Biologists are irradiating thousands of male mosquitoes in labs, to be released later, in the hope that their offspring will be unviable because of DNA damage. "This mosquito, due to the rise in temperature in our country and the world... is able to spread more. Their population keeps on moving further south," biologist Marianela Garcia Alba said, quoted by Reuters news agency. The aim is to make the mosquitoes that have been exposed to radiation the dominant type, to curb the spread of dengue, she added. The north-western provinces of Salta, Tucuman and Jujuy, near Argentina's borders with Chile and Bolivia, have recorded the highest numbers of deaths. Dengue symptoms include fever, headaches, nausea and aching joints. The health ministry has urged people to step up anti-mosquito measures, including mosquito netting on doorways and windows, use of insect repellent and removal of any water containers that may act as breeding grounds. 'Miraculous' mosquito hack cuts dengue by 77% Bacterial allies make dengue fever cases dive Morocco rescuers dig with bare hands as foreign aid sent US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit 'Everyone in this village is either dead or missing' A Serbian scientist's long quest to name Srebrenica's dead How chronic pain feels for me. Video How chronic pain feels for me Guyana scrambles to make the most of oil wealth The spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceans. Video The spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceans Inside a 'hijacked' South African building. Video Inside a 'hijacked' South African building The rise and fall of a parenting influencer Florida's first hurricane-proof town The greatest spy novel ever written? Why is everyone crazy about Aperol? 2023 BBC.