The chance of getting sick with dengue fever is ever current in Puerto Rico and different locations with sizzling, humid climates — however this yr “instances have exceeded historic figures,” in accordance with Puerto Rico Well being Secretary Carlos Mellado.Mellado declared a public well being emergency this week in an effort to curb the rise in dengue fever instances, saying the decree helps assure Puerto Rico has entry to the sources wanted to fight the outbreak. The declaration is ready to final 90 days and will be renewed if vital.Puerto Rico joins Brazil, Peru and different Latin American nations coping with outbreaks in declaring a state of emergency over dengue fever.The Puerto Rico Division of Well being reported first noticing a rise in dengue fever instances on the island on the finish of 2023. With 146 instances reported by the third week of January, dengue fever charges began to persistently surpass 2023 ranges.As of March 10, at the very least 549 dengue fever instances had been reported on the island because the begin of the yr, largely within the capital of San Juan, in accordance with the Well being Division. About 62% of sufferers have been hospitalized with the illness; solely 29 instances have been thought-about extreme. No dengue fever fatalities have been reported up to now.The commonest symptom amongst those that contract the mosquito-borne illness is fever, in accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. Different signs embody severe complications, nausea, vomiting, rash and physique ache.Signs will be delicate or extreme. Most dengue fever sufferers get well in per week, however in extreme instances the illness will be life-threatening and require hospitalization because it can lead to shock, inner bleeding and even demise. Those that have had dengue prior to now usually tend to develop extreme signs. An individual can get sick with dengue fever as much as 4 occasions of their lifetime — as soon as for every sort of virus that may trigger the illness, in accordance with the CDC.RecommendedThe CDC has been working with the Puerto Rico Well being Division and different native companies to enact the island’s dengue fever prevention and management plan — which incorporates eliminating and cleansing up areas with stagnant water that would function mosquito breeding websites, in addition to urging the general public to make use of mosquito repellents and wire mesh panels to maintain mosquitoes out of their houses.In an announcement Monday, Mellado mentioned in Spanish that each one elements of Puerto Rican society should be part of forces to forestall contagion and the unfold of this virus.Puerto Rico final declared a dengue epidemic in 2012. No less than 199 folks died of dengue fever throughout that point.For extra from NBC Latino, join our weekly publication.Nicole Acevedo is a reporter for NBC Information Digital. She stories, writes and produces tales for NBC Latino and NBCNews.com.