The Secretary of the Department of Health (DS) of Puerto Rico, Víctor M. Ramos, declared an epidemic of influenza in the Caribbean archipelago this Tuesday, after six consecutive weeks with cases above the epidemiological threshold. "With this declaration, we reiterate the call to the public to take immediate action. Influenza can cause a serious and complicated health condition. The best defense is prevention, through vaccination, hygiene measures, and the responsibility to stay home when experiencing symptoms," expressed the head of Puerto Rican Health at a press conference. During the 2025/2026 season, a significant increase in reported cases was recorded, according to the criteria established by the Epidemiological Surveillance System and the incidence indicators and growth rates of the virus. As of the second epidemiological week, between January 11 and 17, 2026, 42,183 cases of influenza were reported, of which approximately 46.4% are in the pediatric population. Likewise, the health authorities reported 3,001 hospitalizations and 128 deaths associated with influenza. Of the total number of deaths, 96.1% of the individuals had not been vaccinated against influenza, which highlights the importance of immunization as the main prevention strategy. The highest number of cases was reported in the southern municipality of Ponce with 8,392, followed by Caguas, a northern municipality, with 8,179, and Bayamón, in the north, which reported 7,111. The overall incidence rate is 1,309 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In this context, Ramos emphasized that the response to the influenza epidemic is based on these strategic pillars that guide actions at the central and regional levels: detection, surveillance, vaccination, treatment, community outreach, and an educational campaign. For her part, the chief epidemiologist of Puerto Rico, Miriam V. Ramos, explained that the agency maintains continuous monitoring of influenza transmission through multiple surveillance systems. "Wastewater surveillance and syndromic surveillance are tools that allow us to identify trends, anticipate increases, and issue timely recommendations for prevention," indicated the epidemiologist. To date, 365,508 influenza vaccines have been administered during the 2025/2026 season throughout Puerto Rico. Finally, the Secretary of Health reiterated the call to the public to maintain prevention measures such as frequent handwashing, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, avoiding close contact with sick people, and wearing a mask in crowded places. An epidemic is a sudden and higher-than-expected increase in the number of cases of a disease, in this case, influenza. To declare an influenza epidemic, Puerto Rico must have six consecutive weeks with a record above the epidemic threshold. Symptoms of influenza include fever or feeling of fever and chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache, fatigue, as well as vomiting or diarrhea.
