SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — 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 folks has reported a minimum of 549 circumstances to date this 12 months, in contrast with a complete of 1,293 circumstances for all of final 12 months. The vast majority of circumstances have been reported within the capital of San Juan.Greater than 340 folks have been hospitalized for the mosquito-borne virus, based on 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 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 circumstances to date 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 circumstances.The virus may cause crushing complications, fever, vomiting, a rash and different signs. Whereas most contaminated folks don’t get signs, extreme circumstances can result in plasma leakage and dying.