Medical Advance in Brazil Coincides with Diplomat's Health Crisis

Stephanie Al-Qaq, the UK ambassador to Brazil, contracted dengue fever in December 2024 and developed a rare, severe complication leading to acute liver failure. She received an emergency liver transplant in January 2025 through Brazil's public health system, a procedure involving collaboration between Brazilian and British surgical teams. Her recovery coincided with Brazil's approval of Butantan-DV, the world's first single-dose dengue vaccine developed by Instituto Butantan, which shows high efficacy and could significantly impact global health as dengue spreads due to climate change.