Snowy Owl
Retired in 2010, In Memoriam
Deadly illness surges in Mexico
Larry Habegger
Special to The Plain Dealer
Dengue fever is surging in Mexico and other areas of Latin America. Dengue cases in Mexico have increased more than 600 percent since 2001, with the deadly form of dengue hemorrhagic fever increasing dramatically.
It now accounts for one in every four cases compared to one in every 50 cases seven years ago.
Officials have sent special mosquito-eradication teams to the resorts of Acapulco, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta to reduce the risks to tourists.
Five Canadians were infected in Puerto Vallarta earlier this year, 549 cases were reported in Acapulco in January and February compared to 86 in those months last year.
Nationwide, Mexico has seen 1,549 cases this year in that period.
Paraguay declared a state of emergency in March with an estimated 400,000 infections, and the Dominican Republic is seeing 400 new cases a month.
Avoiding mosquito bites is the only sure way to prevent the disease.
Peru:
A new bridge over the Vilcanota River at the village of Santa Teresa has opened a new route to Machu Picchu.
The route involves a daylong bus ride and a seven-mile hike from the village along railroad tracks. Village residents and officials are pleased with the development because of the economic boost they expect to get from tourists taking this route rather than the expensive train journey to the historic site.
Santa Teresa already is receiving 200 tourists a day compared to a half-dozen only a few years ago. Government cultural experts and archaeologists are unhappy, though, fearing an increase in tourism will erode the famous ruins. UNESCO is also concerned that rising tourism numbers may endanger the site.
Larry Habegger
Special to The Plain Dealer
Dengue fever is surging in Mexico and other areas of Latin America. Dengue cases in Mexico have increased more than 600 percent since 2001, with the deadly form of dengue hemorrhagic fever increasing dramatically.
It now accounts for one in every four cases compared to one in every 50 cases seven years ago.
Officials have sent special mosquito-eradication teams to the resorts of Acapulco, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta to reduce the risks to tourists.
Five Canadians were infected in Puerto Vallarta earlier this year, 549 cases were reported in Acapulco in January and February compared to 86 in those months last year.
Nationwide, Mexico has seen 1,549 cases this year in that period.
Paraguay declared a state of emergency in March with an estimated 400,000 infections, and the Dominican Republic is seeing 400 new cases a month.
Avoiding mosquito bites is the only sure way to prevent the disease.
Peru:
A new bridge over the Vilcanota River at the village of Santa Teresa has opened a new route to Machu Picchu.
The route involves a daylong bus ride and a seven-mile hike from the village along railroad tracks. Village residents and officials are pleased with the development because of the economic boost they expect to get from tourists taking this route rather than the expensive train journey to the historic site.
Santa Teresa already is receiving 200 tourists a day compared to a half-dozen only a few years ago. Government cultural experts and archaeologists are unhappy, though, fearing an increase in tourism will erode the famous ruins. UNESCO is also concerned that rising tourism numbers may endanger the site.