Health officials in Puerto Rico warned of a
potential dengue fever outbreak, citing seven suspected cases on
the island which are undergoing tests with the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
A joint statement
issued by the Puerto Rico Dept. of Health and the Puerto Rico
Tourism Co. said that officials were working closely with the
tourism community on the island to keep all visitors informed of
the latest information.
"Visitors should be
aware that the majority of cases reported have been confined to
areas outside the areas popular with tourists," said Diana
Rodriguez, director of public relations for the PRTC.
The Puerto Rico
Dept. of Health, meanwhile, launched a public education campaign
and is working with municipalities across the island to fumigate
public areas on a daily basis.
Residents are urged
to eliminate pools of stagnant or standing water, which are
potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
In addition, hotels
are taking extra precautions "to make their accommodations
mosquito-free," according to Rodriguez.
Dengue fever, which
is carried by the Aedes mosquito, also is known as "breakbone
fever" because of the severe joint pains it causes. Symptoms
include high fever and rash.
To
contact reporter Gay Nagle Myers, send e-mail to [email protected].