A bulletin from Brazil's Ministry of Health reports that the number of cases of dengue has risen in 19 Brazilian states. From January to May, there was a nationwide average rise of 30% in dengue cases.

However, the increase has been uneven. In the Southern region, dengue cases are up over 180%, while in the Southeastern region the number of cases has actually fallen 26.6%.

The head of the secretariat of Sanitary Vigilance, Jarbas Barbosa, says the latest bulletin is a warning.

"Dengue is not something you eliminate by sending in health agents and spraying the area. Because the next day somebody can toss an empty yogurt cup in the yard or leave a bucket of water out in the open and you have new breeding grounds for the dengue mosquito.

"We need constant, consistent public participation. Everybody has to get involved. That is the only way we can avoid an epidemic," he said.

ABr

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