Puerto Rico Declares Influenza Epidemic: 42 Dead, Over 1,000 Hospitalized

The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico has declared an influenza epidemic, with a majority of the nearly 30,000 cases being children. It was Puerto Rico’s first such declaration since 2016, according to a Nov. 9 press release by the Puerto Rico Department of Health. Fatalities rose to 42 individuals as of Nov. 4, with 1,048 hospitalizations and 29,947 infections this influenza season, which began in July. “This epidemic declaration is to alert and inform citizens about the actions we must take. This is not the time to be alarmed, but to prepare to help prevent the increase in the spread of this virus,” said Puerto Rico Secretary of Health Dr. Carlos Mellado Lopez....