The Puerto Rican dengue fever epidemic that was declared earlier this year appears to have claimed the live of reknown championship surfer Andy Irons according to early reports.
The three-time world champion was in Dallas enroute to Hawaii, his home, after leaving Puerto Rico. Irons was in Puerto Rico competing in the World Tour and was forced to withdraw due to illness.
The Association of Surfing Professionals confirmed the 32-year old “had reportedly been battling with dengue fever, a viral disease.” An autopsy must be conducted to determine if the fever is what actually caused his death and if it was contracted in Puerto Rico.
Some reports claim that at least five people in Puerto Rico for the World Tour contracted the fever.
The island declared a dengue fever epidemic when 210 people contracted the fever in January, triple the number the island typically sees. As of October nearly 12,000 cases had been reported in the island. The fever kills 25,000 annually worldwide
