TikTok star known as the Dancing Engineer dies in the hospital after contracting dengue fever

A Peruvian engineer who became an overnight TikTok star died Sunday due to complications from dengue fever.

Jainer Pinedo, who was known as the 'Dancing Engineer,' was diagnosed with dengue fever after falling ill and visiting a hospital on July 21 in Condorcanqui, Amazonas, where he was working.

The 34-year-old was transferred to Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo Hospital in Chiclayo after additional testing diagnosed him with pleural diffusion, a buildup of fluid between the lungs and the chest.

Pinedo has undergone lung drainage and on August 1, he took to Instagram to post a video of himself performing a dance challenge dance in his hospital room that he had been waiting to share.

'A sick person who doesn't dance doesn't die!!' Pinedo wrote. 'We just have 20 percent energy.'

Peruvian engineer Jainer Pinedo died from complications due to dengue fever at a hospital in Chiclayo, Peru on Sunday. The 34-year-old was a TikTok star known as the 'Dancing Engineer' and rose to fame in 2021 when he posted videos showing off his dance moves on TikTok and Instagram

Jainer Pinedo fell ill July 21 while working in the Peruvian province of Condorcanqui and was rushed to an area hospital where he was diagnosed with dengue. His condition worsened August 14, when he almost went into cardiac arrest and was moved to intensive care. He died on Sunday

His health worsened August 14 when he nearly went into cardiac arrest and was moved to the intensive care unit, where he was intubated.

Department of Health Deputy Minister, Ricardo Peña, told online news portal Peru21 that testing done on Pinedo while he was in the ICU revealed that he had Hodgkin's lymphoma.

'It is most likely that this underlying disease is linked, precisely, to this outcome,' Peña said.

Pinedo was declared dead at 9am on Sunday, the Lambayeque province health department said in a statement.

'During his stay, Jainer received comprehensive and continuous care from our health professionals, who provided him with the necessary care and support,' the health department said.

Pinedo became a social media darling during the COVID-19 pandemic after he uploaded a video on TikTok dancing to 'No sé' ('I don't know'), which at the time was a hit song by Explosión de Iquitos, a band formed in his hometown, the port city of Iquitos.

The viral TikTok post would lead to an appearance alongside the band for the filming of the song's official video and promotional gigs with local companies looking to boost their clientele. 

'We will remember you with the joy that you always conveyed in every performance we attended, dear Jainer 'El Ingeniero Bailarín' We want to express our deepest condolences to the family,' Explosión de Iquitos said in a statement.

Additional testing revealed Jainer Pinedo was suffering from Hodgkin's lymphoma, according to Department of Health Deputy Minister, Ricardo Peña

Jainer Pinedo was known for filming TikTok dance videos with his coworkers

TikTok's 'Dancing Engineer,' Jainer Pinedo (left), with former Peruvian Congressman Jorge Meléndez (right)

Singer and actress Cecilia Brozovich lauded Pinedo for the joy his videos triggered during the pandemic.

'When we were still experiencing the sadness and uncertainty brought on by the pandemic, a character emerged who, with his cheerful and contagious dance, became very popular and loved!' she wrote on X. 'Very grateful for that! I will say a prayer for you Jainer Pinedo! May God welcome you with open arms.'

Former Congressman Jorge Meléndez recalled meeting Pinedo for the first time in 2021 and how the engineer shared the 'dreams' he wanted to achieve.

'Today I learned of his sad departure; he leaves us with deep pain, but also leaves a huge void of joy for all of us who enjoyed his dancing,' Meléndez wrote on X.

Actor and singer Vero Vargas was moved by Pinedo's last social media post, an August 1 dancing video on Instagram: 'I have the best memories of the giant heart that you take with you to share in heaven, king! Fly high and continue radiating the beautiful energy of always. Rest in peace.'