More than 11,570 cases of dengue reported this year in NE Brazil, nine killed

BRASILIA, March 3 (Chinese media) -- More than 11,570 cases of dengue, including

nine deaths, have been reported in the first two months of the year in a

northeastern Brazilian state, said local authorities Tuesday.

In the state of Bahia, the disease was reported in 160 counties, and a

majority of patients were sent to Salvador, capital city of the state, and nine

other municipalities for treatment.

In Jequie, 29 cases of dengue with hemorrhagic fever were reported,

including two deaths. In Porto Seguro, six cases and four deaths were reported,

and in Itabuna, three people were killed by the disease.

According to the health department of Bahia, the federal government spent

39 million reais (about 16 million U.S. dollars) on combating dengue in December

2008.