World News | Puerto Rico Declares Flu Epidemic as Cases Spike. 42 Dead and More Than 900 Hospitalised Since July

San Juan (Puerto Rico), Nov 9 (AP) Puerto Rico health officials on Thursday declared an influenza epidemic in the US territory.

At least 25,900 cases have been reported since July, with 42 deaths and more than 900 hospitalisations on the island of 3.2 million people, Health Secretary Carlos Mellado said.

Also Read | Sex Racket Busted in US: Police Bust ‘High-End Brothel Network’ With Politicians and Military Officers as Clients in Massachusetts, Three Accused Arrested.

Epidemiologist Melissa Marzan noted that officials have seen nearly six times more cases so far this year compared with the same period last year.

Those who are 0 to 19 years old have been most affected, with more than 13,600 cases reported in that population, Mellado said.

Also Read | California: Parks, Schools Shut in Tustin After Asbestos Found in Burned World War II-Era Blimp Hangar (Watch Video).

Health officials said there were plenty of vaccines, tests and treatments available on the island.

A record 53,708 influenza cases were reported in 2015 in Puerto Rico. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)