# 4815
For the past few weeks we’ve been watching with interest the steady rise of Dengue cases (suspected & confirmed) being reported by the CDC in Puerto Rico.
Although endemic to the island, Dengue typically follows a seasonal pattern, with the fewest cases between March and June and transmission peaking during the September – November rainy season.
This year, however - on February 26th - a Dengue epidemic was declared by the Puerto Rico Department of Health.
Patient reports corresponding to week five (Jan. 29 to Feb. 4), showed 204 cases reported to the CDC, when the epidemic threshold for that week was 139.
Since that time the number of reported cases has remained well above the epidemic threshold.
Puerto Rico is no stranger to Dengue epidemics. Dengue outbreaks are cyclical in the Caribbean, with steep rises in cases seen every 3 to 5 years.
This year is being compared to the massive Puerto Rican Dengue outbreak of 1998, which saw a similar early start.
Note: Surveillance was disrupted in week 38 due to Hurricane Georges that year.
1998 Epidemic – MMWR November 13, 1998 / 47(44);952-6 http://tinyurl.com/3ae6vdd
In 1998, roughly 9800 cases of suspected dengue through the end of August. This year, the number of suspected cases is roughly 8,000 through mid-July.
You can find the latest weekly Dengue Surveillance Report HERE and will find more information in the recent MMWR report:
Notes from the Field: Dengue Epidemic --- Puerto Rico, January--July 2010
Weekly
July 23, 2010 / 59(28);878
For an extensive list of my blogs on Dengue and Mosquito Borne Diseases you can select the DENGUE Quick Search here, on my sidebar.
