Dengue Fever outbreak in 4 departments

It has been reported that four departments in Bolivia -- Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Cochabamaba -- are showing signs of a classic dengue outbreak. Between 1 and 8 January Santa Cruz registered 55 cases, largely in its capital, Santa Cruz, as well as in Warnes, San Rafael and Montero. The department of Beni registered 172 cases over that same period, but officials suspect that there are approximately 1,000 connected cases. In the department of Cochabamba, officials report that the outbreak is particularly virulent in the town of Villa Tunari. Northern La Paz, Tarija and Chuquisaca have also reported isolated cases of dengue, but are not considered to be a part of the epidemic. Medical authorities attribute the outbreak to the beginning of the rainy season.