Puerto Rico Declares Public Health Emergency as Dengue Fever Cases Rise
The Health Secretary of Puerto Rico, Carlos Mellado, has declared a public health emergency in response to the increasing number of dengue fever cases in the region. This year, the cases of dengue fever in Puerto Rico have surpassed historical figures, prompting the need for immediate action.
The public health emergency, which will last for 90 days, can be renewed if deemed necessary. Puerto Rico now joins other Latin American countries such as Brazil and Peru in declaring a state of emergency due to dengue fever outbreaks.
According to reports, as of Tuesday, there have been over 3.5 million cases and more than 1,000 deaths in Latin America attributed to dengue fever. The most common symptoms of dengue fever include fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, rash, and body pain. While most patients recover within a week, severe cases can be life-threatening and require hospitalization.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been collaborating with the Puerto Rico Health Department to implement a prevention and control plan for dengue fever. This includes eliminating mosquito breeding sites and encouraging the public to use repellents to prevent mosquito bites.
This is not the first time Puerto Rico has faced a dengue epidemic. In 2012, the region declared a similar emergency with at least 199 deaths reported at that time. With the current situation, authorities are urging the public to take necessary precautions and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of dengue fever.
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