Peru Issues National Dengue Alert Amidst Rising Cases and New Viral Strain
Peru’s health authorities have issued a nationwide epidemiological alert in response to a significant increase in dengue cases, aiming to bolster preventative measures, clinical care, and patient referrals. The alert comes as the country enters its intense rainy season coupled with rising temperatures – conditions that dramatically favor the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.
The primary objective of this alert is to strengthen the timely implementation of prevention and control actions, ensuring comprehensive care for all patients across the nation’s health facilities. According to official reports, an increase in cases has been detected in ten regions over the last six epidemiological weeks: Amazonas, Huánuco, Junín, Loreto, Madre de Dios, San Martín, Tumbes, Piura, Ucayali, and La Libertad, primarily located in the northern and Amazonian areas of the country.
Authorities are intensifying surveillance efforts, activating rapid response teams, and enhancing the capabilities of healthcare personnel to effectively combat the disease. A standardized protocol for processing medical samples is also being established, alongside expanded education and awareness campaigns targeting schools, families, and communities. The alert extends to all health facilities, including regional health directorates, the EsSalud social security system, military and police health services, and private healthcare providers.
As of epidemiological week 52 of 2025, Peru has reported 39,028 dengue cases nationally, resulting in a cumulative incidence rate of 114.75 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Several regions – San Martín, Loreto, Amazonas, Junín, Ucayali, Madre de Dios, Cajamarca, and Tumbes – have exceeded this national average. While adults aged 30-59 represent the largest proportion of cases (32.7%), followed by children aged 0-11 (22.7%), the highest risk, based on incidence rates, is among adolescents aged 12-17, with 198.66 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and children aged 0-11 with a rate of 141.46 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Analysis of 3,760 serotyped cases – representing 9.6% of the total – reveals a predominance of the DENV-3 serotype, accounting for 47.2% of identified cases (1,774 cases). DENV-1 and DENV-2 followed with 29.7% (1,115 cases) and 23.2% (871 cases) respectively.
The situation is further complicated by a concerning mortality rate. To date, 54 deaths have been attributed to dengue, with two additional deaths currently under investigation, resulting in a national case fatality rate of 0.14%. A disproportionate number of fatalities – 30% – have occurred among individuals aged 60 and older (with a fatality rate of 0.6%), while children aged 0-11 account for 28% of deaths (with a fatality rate of 0.2%).
Specific districts experiencing an upward trend in cases include Bagua Grande, Nieva, and Imaza (Amazonas); Honoria and Rupa-Rupa (Huánuco); Perené, Chanchamayo, and San Ramón (Junín); Yurimaguas and Lagunas (Loreto); Tambopata and Inambari (Madre de Dios); Moyobamba, Juanjuí, Bellavista, Tarapoto, Saposoa, Campanilla, and Morales (San Martín); Tumbes (Tumbes); Sullana, Catacaos, Veintiséis de Octubre, Paita, and Tambo Grande (Piura); Callería, Raimondi, Yarinacocha, Neshuya, Campoverde, and Manantay (Ucayali); and La Esperanza and El Porvenir (La Libertad).
Looking ahead, projections from the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Control of Diseases indicate that dengue cases will be present in 20 of Peru’s departments by March 2026, with an estimated national total of approximately 34,613 cases. The departments of San Martín, Loreto, Amazonas, Ayacucho, Cusco, Huánuco, Junín, Madre de Dios, Puno, Tumbes, Piura, and Ucayali are anticipated to bear the brunt of the transmission risk and require the most significant health response.
Peru has experienced unusually high dengue transmission in both 2023 and 2024, exceeding 250,000 cases annually. These elevated rates have been linked to climatic factors, including the El Niño phenomenon and Cyclone Yaku, which created ideal breeding conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito – the primary vector for the disease – across the North, Central, and South Coasts.
Adding to the complexity, the simultaneous circulation of DENV-1, DENV-2, and DENV-3 has been observed, and, critically, the emergence of a new clade of the DENV-3 serotype genotype III (Clade II) in the last quarter of 2024 has increased the risk of more severe cases and fatalities nationwide. This evolving viral landscape underscores the urgency of the current public health response.
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