Dengue fever alert: Puerto Rico declares epidemic
Puerto Rico has declared an epidemic because the variety of dengue circumstances continues to rise.
At the least 549 circumstances have been reported thus far and greater than 340 individuals have been hospitalized, in keeping with the island’s well being division.
“As of March 21, 2024, the Division of Well being’s epidemiological surveillance of ailments has noticed a 140% improve in dengue circumstances for Puerto Rico in comparison with the identical interval final 12 months,” the division mentioned in a press launch on Monday.
This is what it’s essential know.
What’s dengue fever?
Dengue fever is a doubtlessly lethal viral an infection that comes from mosquitoes and is transmitted to people. Usually, the virus is extra widespread in tropical and subtropical areas. Some individuals which can be contaminated with the virus gained’t expertise signs in any respect. Nevertheless, individuals who do have signs expertise a excessive fever, headache, physique aches, nausea or rash in keeping with the World Well being Group (WHO).
In a publish on X, Puerto Rico Well being Secretary Carlos Mellado López mentioned he has been monitoring the outbreaks of dengue and coronavirus.
“The rise in dengue circumstances requires that each one elements of society be part of forces in an effort to forestall the contagion and unfold of this virus, which is why we name for prevention” Mellado López wrote within the publish.
Jamaica’s dengue outbreak
On Sept. 23, Jamaica’s Ministry of Well being declared a dengue outbreak after an elevated quantity circumstances had been reported. On the time, there have been 1,060 confirmed dengue infections on the island, in keeping with the U.S. Embassy of Jamaica.
By November, well being officers reported that greater than 3,100 individuals had been contaminated and that 9 individuals had died, in keeping with the Guardian.
Jamaica’s chief medical officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie, mentioned in January that dengue remained a priority within the nation and requested residents to watch water containers for mosquitoes, destroy potential breeding websites, and put on protecting clothes and mosquito repellant to assist forestall the unfold of the illness.
CDC issued a journey warning following dengue outbreaks in a number of international locations
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) issued a Stage 1 journey warning on Feb. 28 to American vacationers as they take journeys exterior of the nation. The next international locations have reported an elevated quantity in dengue circumstances:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- French Guiana
- Guadeloupe
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Saint Barthelemy
- Saint Martin
- Turks and Caicos Islands
The CDC additionally warns vacationers to guard themselves by stopping mosquito bites.
Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the Nationwide Trending Staff at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking information, automobile recollects, crime, well being, lottery and public coverage tales. Electronic mail her at aforbes@gannett.com. Comply with her on Instagram, Threads and X @forbesfineest.
