Puerto Rico Declares Public Health Emergency as Dengue Cases Surge
Puerto Rico Declares Public Health Emergency as Dengue Cases Surge
The Puerto Rico Secretary of Health, Carlos Mellado, has declared a public health emergency due to a sharp increase in dengue cases on the island. So far this year, the health department has reported 549 cases of the mosquito-borne virus, prompting concerns among health officials.
Dengue is the most common mosquito-borne virus worldwide, infecting more than 400 million people annually. The virus is transmitted mainly through the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which also carries other dangerous viruses such as yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika.
Symptoms of dengue include fever, nausea, vomiting, and body aches, with about 1 in 4 people infected showing signs of the illness. Severe cases of dengue, although less common, can lead to shock and internal bleeding, resulting in approximately 40,000 deaths globally each year.
Health officials in Puerto Rico are urging residents to take precautions, such as using insect repellent, eliminating mosquito breeding sites, and wearing protective clothing to prevent the spread of the virus. In the United States, a dengue vaccine is available for children ages 9 to 16 who have evidence of previous dengue infection.
Dengue outbreaks occasionally occur in the continental US, with the majority of cases reported in Puerto Rico. Climate change is also expected to contribute to the global spread of dengue, as higher temperatures can expand the range of mosquitoes’ survival and facilitate viral transmission.
As Puerto Rico grapples with this public health crisis, it is crucial for residents to heed the advice of health officials and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their communities from the spread of dengue.