A dengue fever epidemic has broken out in southern Brazil.

Health authorities have reported about 600 residents a day coming to clinics suffering from the symptoms of dengue fever since the start of the year.

Heavy rains have contributed to an environment conducive for mosquito breeding for the variety that transmits the disease. The government has hired hundreds of workers to clear standing water from streets in an attempt to control the mosquito population.

The city of Campo Grande is declaring a state of emergency because of the disease. The army and police have been dispatched to help control the outbreak.

The outbreak has not been limited to Brazil. Paraguay has reported 8 deaths from the disease and more than 8,500 suspected cases.