Health · Public Health & Disease · 2 hrs ago
Peru reports 81 dengue deaths as El Niño raises temperatures
Peru has recorded 81 dengue deaths this year, a 59% increase from 2025, according to its health ministry.
Authorities link the rise to exceptionally high temperatures associated with El Niño.
The government issued an epidemiological alert because El Niño can also bring rain and floods that help diseases spread.
Dengue cases are concentrated near the border with Ecuador and in Amazonian areas, where temperatures have stayed above 30°C for weeks.
The alert calls for stronger health surveillance, vaccination and clinic response capacity.
Health officials also warn that leptospirosis, acute diarrhoea, malaria and measles could increase.
Dengue is spread by mosquitoes and can cause severe bleeding and death; the health ministry says the response will reinforce public health measures.
Peru has reported 81 dengue deaths this year, a 59% increase compared with 2025.
The Ministry of Health linked the rise to unusually high temperatures caused by El Niño.
The government issued an epidemiological alert over the climate event and the risk of disease spread.
Dengue cases are concentrated near the border with Ecuador and in Amazonian areas, where temperatures have exceeded 30°C for several weeks.
The alert calls for stronger health surveillance, vaccination and health-centre response capacity.
- Who
- Peru’s Ministry of Health reported the deaths.
- What
- Peru recorded 81 dengue deaths this year, up 59% from 2025.
- When
- The Ministry announced the figures on Friday, October 23; the article was published on October 24, 2026.
- Where
- Peru, especially regions bordering Ecuador and Amazonian areas.
- Why
- The Ministry linked the increase to unusually high temperatures associated with El Niño, which can also bring rain and flooding that help diseases spread.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Peru recorded fewer dengue deaths than in the current year, according to the reported 59% increase.
Peru’s Ministry of Health reported 81 dengue deaths this year and said the rise was associated with unusually high temperatures caused by El Niño.
- Dengue deaths
- 81 this year
- Increase
- 59% compared with 2025
- Hotspot temperatures
- Above 30°C for several weeks
- Affected areas
- Regions bordering Ecuador and Amazonian areas
- Response
- Epidemiological alert; stronger surveillance, vaccination and health-centre capacity