A dengue epidemic has claimed at least 54 lives in Rio de Janeiro state since January, health officials said Thursday, according to The Associated Press. Hospitals have reported a total of 114 deaths from the mosquito-borne disease, but 60 of those cases are still being investigated, the officials said. Brazilian Health Secretary Jose Noronha said that 1,200 soldiers from the army, air force and navy would be deployed next week to set up three field hospitals, while an additional 500 would spray insecticide and place poison in standing-water puddles to eliminate mosquitoes.
