Former Bayern Munich striker contracts dengue fever

Former Bayern Munich and Hamburger SV striker Paolo Guerrero has contracted dengue fever and will be out of action for at least two weeks, doctors in Sao Paulo, Brazil said on Tuesday.

"According to the latest clinical and laboratory tests, he is well, with the diagnosis confirmed as dengue," the Hospital Sao Luiz said in a statement.

Guerrero, who has played for Brazilian club Corinthians since 2012, withdrew from last Saturday's match against Ponte Preta after complaining of high fever and sore joints.

Dengue fever is normally contracted by mosquito bite and can lead to death in some cases. Sao Paulo is currently suffering from a dengue epidemic. 258,000 people have already contracted this disease in the city this year - 99 of them have died as a result.

The Peruvian forward, who is the team's top scorer this season, will miss Wednesday's Libertadores Cup match at home to San Lorenzo and this weekend's city derby against Palmeiras.

jh/al (dpa, SID)