Renewal of Determination that a Public Health Emergency Exists

As a result of the continued consequences of Hurricane Maria on the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, on this date and after consultation with public health officials as necessary, I, Eric D. Hargan, Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, pursuant to the authority vested in me under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, do hereby renew, effective December 15, 2017, in the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands and December 16, 2017, in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the September 19, 2017 determination by former Secretary Thomas E. Price that a public health emergency exists and has existed since September 16, 2017, in the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and since September 17, 2017, in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 

December 11, 2017 _____________________________ Date

/s/ _____________________________ Eric D. Hargan    Acting Secretary