Puerto Rico’s Department of Health reports a sharp rise in hospital and doctor visits linked to heat exhaustion amid an unusually intense El Niño-driven heat wave. The National Weather Service (SNM) noted San Juan has seen significantly higher heat indices since early May, often surpassing record highs. The Department’s Syndromic Surveillance System (SVS), part of its Division of Epidemiology and Research, recorded 285 heat-related medical visits between December 2025 and July 2026, averaging 10.69 visits per week.
Of these, 147 (51.58%) were men and 138 (48.42%) were women. Adults aged 20-29 accounted for the most visits (50, or 15.14%), followed by those aged 60-69 (34 visits, 15.01%). The SVS warned that older adults, infants, children, people with chronic illnesses, low-income individuals, athletes, and outdoor workers face the highest risk from heat exposure.
The Bayamón, Caguas, and Ponce health regions reported the most heat-related medical visits between January and July 2026. Officials defined heat illness as resulting from prolonged high-temperature exposure that overwhelms the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating, and issued general safety guidance for heat advisories.