Puerto Rico has declared an epidemic following a spike in dengue casesMarch 25, 2024, 6:35 PM ET• 1 min readSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico’s well being secretary declared an epidemic on Monday following a spike in dengue instances.The U.S. territory of three.2 million individuals has reported not less than 549 instances to this point this 12 months, in contrast with a complete of 1,293 instances for all of final 12 months. The vast majority of instances have been reported within the capital of San Juan.Greater than 340 individuals have been hospitalized for the mosquito-borne virus, in accordance with the island’s well being division.Puerto Rico final declared a dengue epidemic in 2012.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 to this point this 12 months, with well being officers noting that increased rainfall together with humidity and warmth linked to local weather change have contributed to an increase in instances.The virus could cause crushing complications, fever, vomiting, a rash and different signs. Whereas most contaminated individuals don’t get signs, extreme instances can result in plasma leakage and dying.