Puerto Rico declares flu epidemic as cases spike. 42 dead and more than 900 hospitalized since July

In Puerto Rico, health officials have declared a flu epidemic following a significant increase in influenza cases. Since July, the U.S. territory has reported a worrying surge, with over 25,900 flu cases. This outbreak has led to 42 deaths and resulted in more than 900 hospitalizations among the island's population of 3.2 million people.

The epidemic has disproportionately affected younger individuals, particularly those aged 0 to 19 years. This age group has seen more than 13,600 cases, indicating a high transmission rate among children and teenagers. Epidemiologist Melissa Marzán pointed out that the number of flu cases this year is nearly six times higher than those reported in the same period last year, highlighting the severity of the current epidemic.

Despite the alarming numbers, Puerto Rican health authorities have emphasized that there are sufficient medical resources to address the situation. They assure the public that there are plenty of vaccines, diagnostic tests, and treatments available on the island to manage the flu outbreak. This assurance comes as a relief to the population, amidst concerns about the healthcare system's capacity to handle such a significant health crisis.