United Nations Radio

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has released over $100,000 from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to help fight dengue fever in Cape Verde.

dengue victim receiving treatment

The funds are supporting the Red Cross Society of Cape Verde which has been active in tackling the disease since the first cases emerged in September.

The IFRC says the outbreak intensified at the start of November with over 13,000 cases recorded so far, although not all of them have been laboratory-tested.

The agency reports that between 700 and 800 new cases are being registered every day, with at least 4 of the 9 inhabited islands being infected and the majority of cases in and around the capital, Praia.

The IFRC says hospitals in Praia have been overloaded to the extent that tents have been installed to provide additional space outdoors for the urgent treatment of patients.

At least 6 people have died and more than 100 people have been diagnosed with dengue haemorrhagic fever, the most severe form of the disease which can be fatal if not properly treated.

Charles Appel, United Nations
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