Puerto Rico has declared an epidemic following a spike in dengue cases

Puerto Rico’s well being secretary declared an epidemic on Monday following a spike in dengue circumstances.

The U.S. territory of three.2 million individuals has reported no less than 549 circumstances to date this yr, in contrast with a complete of 1,293 circumstances for all of final yr. Nearly all of circumstances have been reported within the capital of San Juan.

Greater than 340 individuals have been hospitalized for the mosquito-borne virus, in response to the island’s well being division.

Puerto Rico final declared a dengue epidemic in 2012.

Greater than 5 million dengue circumstances have been reported worldwide final yr, with nearly 80% of them occurring in the Western Hemisphere, in accordance the World Well being Group. The area has reported some 3 million circumstances to date this yr, with health officials noting that greater rainfall together with humidity and warmth linked to climate change have contributed to an increase in circumstances.

The virus may cause crushing complications, fever, vomiting, a rash and different signs. Whereas most infected people do not get signs, extreme circumstances can result in plasma leakage and loss of life.

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