Determination that a Public Health Emergency Exists in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as the Result of Hurricane Irma

As a result of the consequences of Hurricane Irma on the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands, on this date and after consultation with public health officials as necessary, I, Thomas E. Price, M.D., Secretary of Health and Human Services, pursuant to the authority vested in me under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, do hereby determine that a public health emergency exists and has existed since September 5, 2017 in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands.