Puerto Rico: Flu Cases Remain Below Epidemic Threshold for Second Week

February 28, 2026 Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor Health

Puerto Rico’s Department of Health reported Saturday that influenza cases remain below the epidemic threshold for the second consecutive week, a development officials attribute to an expanding vaccination campaign.

Health Secretary Víctor M. Ramos Otero announced that 2,070 new influenza cases were reported during the week of February 8 to February 14, bringing the cumulative total for the 2025-2026 season to 52,713. The data indicates that 47.8% of reported cases have occurred in individuals aged 0 to 19 years. Hospitalization rates remain at 4.2%.

The department identified 23 outbreaks of influenza in schools and colleges during the week, with the majority concentrated in Bayamón (8 outbreaks), followed by Arecibo (4) and Mayagüez (3). Two outbreaks were reported in each of the regions of Ponce, Fajardo, Metro, and Caguas.

“I am hopeful that this trend will continue, as vaccination coverage continues to advance in a firm and organized manner,” Ramos Otero said in a statement. “Our focus has been to bring services directly to communities to eliminate barriers to access, educate, and protect the population, especially the most vulnerable groups.”

The vaccination campaign has administered over 426,008 doses this season, an increase of 76,332 doses compared to the same period in the previous season, according to the Department of Health.

The announcement comes after the Department of Health declared an influenza epidemic earlier in February, citing established criteria for incidence and growth rate of cases. At that time, Ponce had the highest number of cases with 8,392, followed by Caguas (8,179) and Bayamón (7,111). Two additional deaths related to influenza had been reported, with another 12 under investigation, bringing the total to 128 deaths, with only five of those individuals vaccinated.

The New York State Viral Diseases Institute confirmed that samples sent for sequencing correspond to the H3N2 subtype, which originated in England and spread through Europe and the United States before reaching Puerto Rico.

Ramos Otero indicated that the next report, covering the third week of February, is expected Sunday. He expressed optimism that the downward trend will continue, which he stated is a key step toward ending the epidemic, provided the trend persists for a fourth consecutive week and other epidemiological criteria are met.