Puerto Rico Declares Public Well being Emergency as Dengue Circumstances Rise

Puerto Rico declared a public well being emergency over dengue, a mosquito-borne sickness that has surged all through the Americas this yr.

Learn Extra: Dengue Fever Is Hovering Worldwide. Right here’s What to Know—and How one can Keep Protected

Well being officers in Puerto Rico have recognized 549 circumstances of dengue throughout the U.S. territory of three.2 million folks, with nearly half the circumstances concentrated within the capital of San Juan. Also referred to as “breakbone fever,” dengue may cause complications, soreness, fever and rashes—and, in excessive circumstances, dying.

“This yr, circumstances of dengue have surpassed historic information,” Well being Secretary Carlos Mellado stated in an announcement. 

The emergency declaration has no rapid impression on journey to or from Puerto Rico, a preferred vacation vacation spot, however it’ll make it simpler for the well being division to entry funding for detection and prevention, Mellado stated.

There have been main outbreaks of dengue this yr throughout massive swathes of the Americas, together with Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Peru. Final yr, elements of Florida have been put below a mosquito-borne sickness alert resulting from dengue.