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Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Puerto Rico : Dengue outbreak claims 3rd fatality

A report which needs attention - via Associated Press :

" SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico : Puerto Rico's top health official warned Monday that the U.S. island could face its worst-ever dengue fever outbreak if people don't act quickly to destroy breeding areas for disease-spreading mosquitoes.

Health Secretary Lorenzo Gonzalez Feliciano issued the warning after a 37-year-old woman from the northern town of Hatillo died of the hemorrhagic form of the tropical virus. Her death was the third fatality from dengue fever so far this year on the island.

Unless islanders take urgent measures to eradicate bug breeding areas by draining standing water near their houses, the Caribbean territory will experience a public health crisis in coming months, Gonzalez said.

"If we do not act now, we will see a catastrophe in the months of August and September that could reach record numbers and would make it much more difficult to control," said Gonzalez, who also urged people to sleep under mosquito nets and wear repellent.

The government has dispatched trucks to neighborhoods and schools to spray a mist that kills mosquitoes, but Gonzalez said too many Puerto Ricans have let down their guard against the virus. He urged islanders to report neighbor to authorities if they leave stagnant water on their property."

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