# 4847
After a brief downward blip in the number of reported cases of Dengue Fever in Puerto Rico last week (reporting week 30), this week’s surveillance numbers are back on the rise again.
As indicated by the chart above, the number of cases currently being reported are running at rates more than 4 times above the epidemic threshold, and the yearly total is on target to exceed that seen during the big 1998 epidemic.
1998 Epidemic – MMWR November 13, 1998 / 47(44);952-6 http://tinyurl.com/3ae6vdd
Roughly 9800 cases of suspected dengue were reported through the end of August, 1998. This year, the number of suspected cases is roughly 9,700 through early August.
The sudden drop in cases detected in 1998 was due to Hurricane Georges interrupting surveillance efforts/
With heavy rains likely to spread across the island over the next couple of days courtesy of hurricane Earl, the island’s mosquito control efforts could well grow more challenging over the coming weeks.
The height of the Dengue season on the island is normally September through November - which corresponds with the rainy season.
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
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