Journalists in Brazil can compete in a health journalism prize for their coverage on dengue fever.

The third edition of the prize, organized by the health department of Minas Gerais state, offers prizes in seven categories: newspaper, magazine, radio, TV, photography, digital media and academic research papers. Winners in each category will receive BR$5,000 (about US$3,000).

Materials must have been published between November 18, 2010 to March 31, 2011.

The prize's goal is to promote the coverage of Brazil's health system and to recognize writing that makes health information more accessible to the public.

According to a recent AFP story, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) figures reported that the disease killed 1,187 people across Latin America in 2010. To raise public awareness, Brazil launched an ad campaign featuring a national football team star kicking a ball at an animated mosquito.

For more information (in Portuguese), contact premio@saude.mg.gov.br or click here.