Peru's Dengue Outbreak Claims 200 Lives Amid El Niño Rains.

Peru is experiencing its worst dengue fever outbreak on record, with over 130,000 recorded cases and 200 deaths this year. Health officials attribute the surge in cases to the El Niño climate phenomenon, which brings torrential rains and mosquitoes. The increase in rainfall brings mass reproduction of mosquitoes due to the accumulation of water in the cities. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared that an El Niño is now underway, and scientists say this year looks particularly worrying. Peruvian President Dina Boluarte signed a decree on Thursday declaring a two-month “state of emergency” in 18 of the country’s 24 regions to allow swift official action for “imminent danger from heavy rainfall” this year and next.