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18 Die From Dengue Fever in Rio VOA News 27 Feb 2002 13:16 UTC 
Brazilian officials say at least 18 people in Rio de Janeiro have died from dengue fever, a mosquito-borne infection that has sent demand for blood transfusions skyrocketing.
State authorities say at least 44,000 people are known to be infected, and that the number could be three times higher.
Thousands of emergency workers and volunteers are using insecticide on suspected mosquito-breeding grounds.
Some blood banks in Brazil are already running low, and the epidemic is expected to continue at least into March.
Dengue fever is usually painful and may cause internal bleeding.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.
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