Peru has declared a health emergency due to an increase in dengue fever infections caused by a scorching wave and persistent rains.

Health Minister Cesar Vasquez announced that the number of virus-related deaths in the country has reached 32 so far this year.

The majority of cases have been in the north, where hospital capacity is already at capacity.

Environmental factors have overtaken the normal dengue reaction, creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes to reproduce more quickly.

El Nino weather phenomena have warmed the waters off Peru’s coastline since 2023.