DW The El Nino weather pattern has created ideal conditions for mosquitos to breed and transmit dengue fever. The viral infection can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and body aches.
Peru declared a health emergency in most parts of the country on Monday after a heat wave and heavy rains led to a spike in dengue fever cases.
At least 32 people have died of the disease so far this year, Health Minister Cesar Vasquez said on Monday.
There have been 31,300 cases recorded in the first eight weeks of the year.
“This is a grave problem,” Vasquez said last week. “And it is getting out of hand.”
Vasquez said Peru’s typical response to the disease had been “overtaken” by factors such as climate. The El Nino weather pattern has caused warm temperatures and heavy rainfall.
“The weather has created a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes to reproduce more quickly and become a more frequent vector of the disease,” he added.