�����ٱ��ó��

The son of a physician, Mendes was born in Niteroi, Brazil, and initially studied classical piano, with the intention of becoming a concert pianist.

Niteroi, a city in Rio’s metropolitan region, was first to pass a municipal ordinance guaranteeing water at large events.

In Niteroi, Mayor Axel Grael said he sought help after the 2012 dengue epidemics, when officials received thousands of notifications and one person died.

In spite of the low number of cases, the city of Niteroi, like its neighbors, is still investing heavily in prevention.

Home to about half a million people, Niteroi has had just 403 suspected cases of dengue so far this year, and its incidence rate per capita is one of the lowest in the state, with 69 confirmed cases per 100,000 people.