http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/hurricanes/2010-10-11-puerto-rico-otto_N.htm
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rican officials say heavy rains unleashed by a tropical storm could worsen a dengue epidemic that has led to a record 26 deaths in the U.S. Caribbean territory.
Health Secretary Lorenzo Gonzalez says that nearly 900 cases of dengue have been reported in recent weeks and he worries that the number could increase.
Roughly 12,000 cases have been reported so far this year.
In 1998, the virus killed 19 people and sickened 17,000.
A dengue epidemic has gripped other Caribbean islands, with more than 80,000 cases reported in the region.
Hurricane Otto caused widespread flooding in the northeastern Caribbean this week while it was still a tropical storm.
Gonzalez issued his statement on Friday.
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