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Designated Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero has confirmed the first death from dengue on the island so far this year after an 85-year-old patient who resided in the Mayagüez region died due to complications related to the disease.
“We deeply regret the loss of this life. Dengue remains a serious threat in Puerto Rico, especially for the most vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions,” Ramos Otero said in a written statement on Monday. “This incident reinforces the importance of prevention, early detection and treatment.”
The official said the Health Department has stepped up its prevention efforts with community activities in all municipalities that include spraying operations, home visits and awareness campaigns to eliminate breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the dengue virus.
According to the most recent epidemiological report, 849 cases of dengue have been reported in Puerto Rico so far in 2025, with 46.2% of them requiring hospitalization.
