Dengue Outbreak and Response ¡ª Puerto Rico, 2024

What to know

  • Presentation Day/Time: Tuesday, April 22, 9:00–10:25 am
  • Presenter: Fhallon Ware-Gilmore, PhD, EIS officer assigned to the Puerto Rico Department of Health, Office of Epidemiology and Investigation
Fhallon Ware-Gilmore, PhD

What did we do?

  • In March 2024, the Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDH) declared a public health emergency and initiated response measures after dengue cases exceeded the epidemic threshold during a period that historically experiences low dengue transmission (January–March). We characterized the outbreak to guide implementation of control strategies.

What did we find?

  • We identified 5,646 total dengue cases; more than half (54%) were among males, and the highest proportion (30%) occurred among adolescents aged 10–19 years.
  • Among infected patients, 2,921 (52%) were hospitalized, and 290 (5%) developed severe dengue, characterized by severe plasma leakage, severe bleeding, or severe organ impairment; 10 patients (~2%) died.
  • Most (7/10) fatal cases occurred among patients who were 50 years old or older.
  • The DENV-3 serotype was identified among 45% of patients, followed by DENV-1 (23%), and DENV-2 (11%).
  • The highest case incidence occurred in the Rincón (1,633) and Lares (751) municipalities.

Why does it matter?

  • Most infections occurred among adolescents, whereas most fatalities occurred among older adults. Public health efforts should prioritize prevention measures for populations at high risk and high-transmission areas to mitigate further spread and severe outcomes for this ongoing outbreak.

Field Photos

EIS Officer Fhallon Ware-Gilmore (Class of 2023) installing Passive Emanators in the homes of interested residents during the dengue outbreak in Puerto Rico. These devices, also known as spatial repellents, slowly release an insecticide, such as transfluthrin, into the air without using heat or electricity. By creating a protective barrier, they help reduce mosquito bites and limit dengue virus transmission.
EIS Officer Fhallon Ware-Gilmore (Class of 2023) installing Passive Emanators in the homes of interested residents during the dengue outbreak in Puerto Rico. These devices, also known as spatial repellents, slowly release an insecticide, such as transfluthrin, into the air without using heat or electricity. By creating a protective barrier, they help reduce mosquito bites and limit dengue virus transmission.
EIS Officer Fhallon Ware-Gilmore (Class of 2023) trains local public health staff in American Samoa on cone bioassay techniques to evaluate the effectiveness of indoor residual spraying – an insecticide-based intervention used for mosquito control. The training aimed to build local capacity for vector surveillance and improve dengue prevention efforts.
EIS Officer Fhallon Ware-Gilmore (Class of 2023) trains local public health staff in American Samoa on cone bioassay techniques to evaluate the effectiveness of indoor residual spraying – an insecticide-based intervention used for mosquito control. The training aimed to build local capacity for vector surveillance and improve dengue prevention efforts.
EIS Officer Fhallon Ware-Gilmore (Class of 2023) inspecting a water container for potential mosquito breeding sites in Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Stagnant water in household containers can serve as prime habitats for Aedes aegypti larvae, increasing the risk of dengue transmission. Identifying and eliminating these breeding sites is a crucial part of vector control strategies.
EIS Officer Fhallon Ware-Gilmore (Class of 2023) inspecting a water container for potential mosquito breeding sites in Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Stagnant water in household containers can serve as prime habitats for Aedes aegypti larvae, increasing the risk of dengue transmission. Identifying and eliminating these breeding sites is a crucial part of vector control strategies.
EIS Officer Fhallon Ware-Gilmore (Class of 2023) providing recommendations and reviewing indoor residual spraying techniques conducted by the American Samoa Environmental Health Division.
EIS Officer Fhallon Ware-Gilmore (Class of 2023) providing recommendations and reviewing indoor residual spraying techniques conducted by the American Samoa Environmental Health Division.

Abstract Category: Dengue

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Content Source:
About Public Health Infrastructure Center; Epidemic Intelligence Service