Tik Tok star Jainer Moisés Pinedo Vargas, also known as the “Dancing Engineer,” has died from dengue fever. He was 34-years-old.
The news was confirmed by health officials on Monday to Peruvian publication Peru 21. “This patient arrived with a diagnosis of dengue; however, during his evolution and up to his care at the Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo hospital, he was diagnosed with pleural effusion and respiratory failure and, upon entering the ICU, they confirmed that he had a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” Deputy Minister of Public Health of the Ministry of Health Ricardo Peña Sánchez told the outlet. “The patient had a neoplastic underlying disease and that probably explains the fatal outcome.”
The late content creator contracted the illness while working in the Condorcanqui province of Peru. “The CDC Rapid Response Team is conducting the investigation,” Sánchez added. “But also given the number of days of evolution, it is most likely that this underlying disease is linked, precisely, to this outcome.”
Vargas’ mother Betty Vargas García shared a message about her son on Facebook writing, “Rest in peace beloved son,” García wrote according to Peru 21. “We are going to miss you!!!”
Vargas, who started posting videos on Tik Tok in 2021, was a forest engineer. The social media star amassed 200,000 followers who for his popular dance videos.
In his last post, Vargas is seen in a video displaying his signature moves from his hospital bed.
“I’ve wanted to do this trend for a long time. Now with 20% energy I can do it. Obviously my ‘calvin kleins’ fell off,” he captioned the August 1st video. “Sick people who don’t dance don’t die!! We are only with 20% of energy.”
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that is prevalent in tropical and subtropical climates. Mayo Clinic describes the symptoms as flu-like including vomiting, nausea, headaches and muscle/joint pain.
The details of his death are still being further investigated.