Paolo Guerrero of Brazil's Corinthians celebrates after scoring against Uruguay's Danubio, during a Copa Libertadores soccer match in Sao Paulo, Brazil. - FILE

SAO PAULO (AP):

Peru striker Paolo Guerrero has dengue fever, a Brazilian hospital said Tuesday.

The Corinthians player has been hospitalised since Saturday with high fever and body pain. Doctors suspected the mosquito-borne disease was to blame and tests released on Tuesday confirmed the diagnosis.

The 28-year-old striker is expected to be sidelined for about two weeks. He already missed Corinthians' match in the Sao Paulo state championship on Saturday and will not be able to play in the final stages of the traditional regional tournament.

Corinthians host rival Palmeiras in the semi-finals next weekend.

Guerrero, the team's top striker, likely will miss Corinthians' last two matches in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores, Latin America's most important club competition. The popular Brazilian team leads its group.

Multiple diagnosis

Palmeiras reserve goalkeeper Aranha and Santos reserve striker Leo Cittadini also have been diagnosed with the disease on Tuesday. Santos play Sao Paulo in the second semi-final of the Sao Paulo tournament on Sunday.

One of Sao Paulo's doctors also had dengue earlier this month.

Cases of the disease have increased significantly across Brazil this year. Dengue causes extreme joint pain and headaches, and in a small proportion of cases can be fatal. There is no cure.