Talia Naquin and Related Press
2 hours in the past
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s well being secretary declared an epidemic this week following a spike in dengue instances.
The U.S. territory of three.2 million folks has reported no less than 549 instances thus far this 12 months, in contrast with a complete of 1,293 instances for all of final 12 months. Nearly all of instances have been reported within the capital of San Juan.
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Greater than 340 folks have been hospitalized for the mosquito-borne virus, in keeping with the island’s well being division.
What’s dengue?
Dengue viruses are unfold to folks by means of the chunk of an contaminated mosquito, in keeping with the CDC.
Mosquitoes grow to be contaminated after they chunk an individual with the virus.
The virus may cause crushing complications, fever, vomiting, a rash and different signs. Whereas most contaminated folks don’t get signs, extreme instances can result in plasma leakage and demise.
The CDC reviews 7 complete dengue instances in Ohio in 2024, together with in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties, nevertheless, not one of the instances was regionally acquired.
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Whereas dengue has been reported in additional than half of the U.S. this 12 months, solely 3 instances in Florida are believed to be from native infections, CDC information exhibits.
Greater than 5 million dengue instances have been reported worldwide final 12 months, with almost 80% of them occurring within the Western Hemisphere, in accordance the World Well being Group. The area has reported some 3 million instances thus far this 12 months, with well being officers noting that larger rainfall together with humidity and warmth linked to local weather change have contributed to an increase in instances.
Puerto Rico final declared a dengue epidemic in 2012.