The Peruvian government has extended, due to the increase of dengue cases, the state of emergency for four months in 20 of the 25 regions of the South American country, which includes 226 districts.

Lima, May 11 (RHC)-- The Peruvian government has extended, due to the increase of dengue cases, the state of emergency for four months in 20 of the 25 regions of the South American country, which includes 226 districts.

According to a report from the Peruvian Ministry of Health (Minsa), there are currently more than 73,000 confirmed cases and almost 80 deaths from the disease. Piura is the region with the most cases, with some 20,000 infected.

Local media report that health centers in northern Peru, such as the Santa Rosa de Piura hospital, are saturated by the number of dengue patients and that new cases are being treated in corridors and temporary tents.

The head of the Ministry of Health, Rosa Gutiérrez Palomino, has reported that 35 million soles (about $10 millio U$D) have been made available for transfer to regional governments to continue with prevention, fumigation, home diagnostics, larvae control and other activities.

Ica is the region with the highest number of deaths, with 16 deaths so far. Chincha Alta and Pueblo Nuevo are the most affected localities in this area.