Dengue Fever Outbreak Sparks Public Health Emergency in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Declares Public Health Emergency Over Dengue Fever Outbreak

Puerto Rico Health Secretary Carlos Mellado has announced a public health emergency on the island due to a surge in dengue fever cases. The declaration, which will last for 90 days and can be extended if necessary, comes as Puerto Rico grapples with an increase in reported cases of the mosquito-borne illness.

This decision follows similar actions taken by other Latin American countries facing dengue fever outbreaks. Latin America has seen over 3.5 million cases and more than 1,000 deaths related to the disease so far. Puerto Rico’s Department of Health reported a rise in dengue fever cases towards the end of 2023, with at least 549 cases reported on the island since the beginning of this year.

Dengue fever is characterized by symptoms such as fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, rash, and body pain. While most patients typically recover within a week, severe cases can be life-threatening and require hospitalization. To combat the spread of the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been collaborating with the Puerto Rico Health Department on a prevention and control plan. This includes efforts to eliminate stagnant water breeding sites and encouraging the public to use mosquito repellents.

This isn’t the first time Puerto Rico has faced a dengue epidemic. In 2012, the island reported at least 199 deaths due to the disease. Mellado emphasized the importance of unified efforts across all sectors of society to prevent the virus from spreading further. With the public health emergency now in effect, authorities are urging residents to take necessary precautions to protect themselves and help control the outbreak.