Piura

For much of his childhood — which included stints in Bolivia and in the northern Peruvian city of Piura, with his maternal grandparents — Vargas Llosa presumed his father to be dead.

With 5,275 dengue cases, Piura was by Friday the second hardest-hit city in Peru.

Authorities in Piura have begun setting up specials areas in hospitals to receive dengue patients.

Santiago Valdez, a specialist in tropical diseases sent to Piura, said the water shortage and storage practices are fueling the disease, which is spread by Aedes Aegypti, a mosquito that reproduces in hot and humid conditions.

The government has declared a state of emergency as it seeks to bring relief to regions of Peru hard hit by the cyclone known as Yaku, which include Lambayeque, Piura and Tumbes.