San Juan, Puerto Rico – Government officials in Puerto Rico have raised the alarm as a dengue epidemic sweeps the island, with a significant increase in cases of the mosquito-borne illness.
Reports from the Puerto Rico Department of Health indicate that between the beginning of the year and March 10, there have been a total of 549 cases of dengue, with 341 hospitalizations and 29 severe cases. The outbreak is primarily concentrated in urban areas like San Juan, Bayamon, Guaynabo, and Carolina.
Over the past decade, Puerto Rico has been at the forefront of dengue cases in U.S. territories, with more than 30,000 reported cases between 2010 and 2020. The severity of the situation led to the last dengue epidemic declaration in Puerto Rico in 2012, during which 199 deaths were reported.
Dengue fever poses a significant public health risk in regions with high mosquito populations and limited access to healthcare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating closely with the Puerto Rico Department of Health and the Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit to monitor the virus and provide training to healthcare workers in the region.
Public health efforts in Puerto Rico include enhancing surveillance methods, laboratory capabilities, vector control measures, and community outreach initiatives. Melissa Marzán, chief epidemiologist officer of the Puerto Rico Department of Health, highlighted the importance of community-based strategies to combat the outbreak.
Dengue is a viral infection that can cause high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, rash, and, in severe cases, death. The World Health Organization estimates that 100 million to 400 million people worldwide are infected with the dengue virus each year.
The ongoing spike in dengue cases in Puerto Rico has raised concerns among public health experts, as the transmission of the virus typically decreases during drier months. Albert Ko, an infectious-disease physician and epidemiologist at the Yale School of Public Health, emphasized the need for vigilance in monitoring and controlling the spread of the virus.
Experts attribute the increase in dengue outbreaks to factors such as climate change and increased global travel, which facilitate the transmission of diseases like dengue across borders. Two vaccines are available for dengue prevention, but challenges remain in ensuring access and effectiveness of vaccination efforts.
Overall, the surge in dengue cases in Puerto Rico serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by mosquito-borne illnesses and the need for continued vigilance and preparedness in public health response.