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DonViejo

(60,536 posts) Tue Oct 9, 2012, 01:46 PM Oct 2012

Puerto Rico declares dengue epidemic

Source: Salon/AP

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s health department has declared a dengue epidemic.

Health Secretary Lorenzo Gonzalez says at least six people have died, including two children younger than 10. A total of 4,816 cases have been reported, including 21 cases of the potentially fatal hemorrhagic dengue.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 342 new cases were reported in one week last month, twice the number of cases during the same period last year. Dengue cases usually flare up from August to January.

The mosquito-borne virus causes fever, severe headaches and extreme joint and muscle pain. Dengue claimed a record 31 lives during a 2010 epidemic that saw more than 12,000 suspected cases.

Gonzalez made the announcement on Monday.

Read more: http://www.salon.com/2012/10/09/puerto_rico_declares_dengue_epidemic/

5 replies

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Puerto Rico declares dengue epidemic (Original Post) DonViejo Oct 2012 OP

Du rec. Nt xchrom Oct 2012 #1

K & R n/t glinda Oct 2012 #2

There were warning signs for this when I was in China a couple years ago siligut Oct 2012 #3

A family member of mine is just getting over this. If you are traveling to the caribbean and I mean oviedodem Oct 2012 #4

I have had it and it is as bad as malaria, except it eventually goes away and malaria comes back. grantcart Oct 2012 #5

xchrom

(108,903 posts)

1. Du rec. Nt

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 01:49 PM

Oct 2012

glinda

(14,807 posts)

2. K & R n/t

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 01:55 PM

Oct 2012

siligut

(12,272 posts)

3. There were warning signs for this when I was in China a couple years ago

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 02:24 PM

Oct 2012

Mosquito repellent is mandatory, because as yet, there is not a 100% effective vaccine or treatment.

oviedodem

(1,824 posts)

4. A family member of mine is just getting over this. If you are traveling to the caribbean and I mean

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 03:09 PM

Oct 2012

anywhere there, take "OFF" or any other type of mosquito repellent.

Dengue is serious and it was touch and go for a moment there.

grantcart

(53,061 posts)

5. I have had it and it is as bad as malaria, except it eventually goes away and malaria comes back.

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Tue Oct 9, 2012, 04:24 PM

Oct 2012

They also call it 'break bone fever'. Guess why.

Children in Asia get it very young and its just a little fever for a couple of days, but visitors from outside who come in as adults are in for a real treat.

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