The threat of getting sick with dengue fever is ever current in Puerto Rico and other places with hot, humid climates — however this 12 months “cases have exceeded historical figures,” in response to Puerto Rico Health Secretary Carlos Mellado.

Mellado declared a public well being emergency this week in an effort to curb the rise in dengue fever circumstances, saying the decree helps guarantee Puerto Rico has access to the resources needed to fight the outbreak. The declaration is about to final 90 days and may be renewed if essential.

Puerto Rico joins Brazil, Peru and different Latin American nations dealing with outbreaks in declaring a state of emergency over dengue fever.

The Puerto Rico Department of Health reported first noticing a rise in dengue fever circumstances on the island on the finish of 2023. With 146 cases reported by the third week of January, dengue fever charges began to constantly surpass 2023 ranges.

As of March 10, a minimum of 549 dengue fever circumstances had been reported on the island for the reason that begin of the 12 months, mostly in the capital of San Juan, in response to the Health Department. About 62% of sufferers have been hospitalized with the illness; only 29 cases were considered severe. No dengue fever fatalities have been reported up to now.

The commonest symptom amongst those that contract the mosquito-borne illness is fever, in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other signs embrace severe complications, nausea, vomiting, rash and physique ache.

Symptoms can be mild or severe. Most dengue fever sufferers get better in per week, however in extreme circumstances the illness may be life-threatening and require hospitalization because it can lead to shock, inner bleeding and even dying. Those who’ve had dengue up to now usually tend to develop extreme signs. An individual can get sick with dengue fever as much as 4 occasions of their lifetime — once for each type of virus that may trigger the illness, in response to the CDC.

The CDC has been working with the Puerto Rico Health Department and different native businesses to enact the island’s dengue fever prevention and control plan — which incorporates eliminating and cleansing up areas with stagnant water that might 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 properties.

In a statement Monday, Mellado stated in Spanish that each one components 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. At least 199 people died of dengue fever throughout that point.

For extra from NBC Latino, sign up for our weekly newsletter.