Dengue cases have tripled, claiming nine victims, Health Secretary says

Vector Control Unit has captured more than 225,347 female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

By The Star Staff

Health Secretary Carlos Mellado López pointed out Monday that dengue cases in Puerto Rico have tripled compared to 2023.

So far, 4,798 cases have been registered this year, surpassing those in 2023. To date, nine deaths have been confirmed and one more is under investigation.

“The Department of Health has implemented all the necessary tools to face this situation. Communities must commit to eliminating mosquito breeding sites, using repellent, and protecting themselves from bites. It is impossible to contain this epidemic without citizen participation,” Mellado López said in written statements early this week.

On the other hand, the Vector Control Unit has captured more than 225,347 female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in municipalities such as San Juan, Bayamón, and Carolina. Molecular tests performed on these specimens confirmed the virus’s circulation of serotypes 1, 2, and 3. According to Chief Epidemiologist Melissa Marzán, serotype DENV-3 accounts for 55% of reported cases in 2024.

“Dengue is a disease we can prevent if we all do our part. Eliminating mosquito breeding sites and protecting against bites is key to reducing the spread,” said Marzán.

Among the municipalities with the highest incidence is San Juan, with 995 cases (20.74%), followed by Carolina (293 cases, 6.11%) and Rincón (240 cases, 5.00%). The most affected age groups are people aged 40 to 59 years (936 cases, 19.51%), adolescents aged 15 to 19 years (737 cases, 15.36%), and children aged 10 to 14 years (683 cases, 14.24%).