The summer stage comes to an end on the island, at least formally, because the high temperatures will continue. In this scenario it is imposed to take stock of what these months have been from the health point of view, since this time has resulted in one of the most complicated for public health in the country in recent years.
In that sense, what happened in the summer of 2021 deserves a special mention, when the dreaded pandemic peak of the COVID-19 on the island took place. During those months, thousands of homes were linked to the loss of relatives, the hospitals were overwhelmed by the avalanche of cases and, to aggravate the situation, there was a lack of oxygen due to the breakage of a producing plant. Judging by the number of infections reported daily on those dates, the over -morality figures of 2021 and the experience lived then, tens of thousands of people died in the country.
In the summer of 2022 it was declared Monkey’s smallpox, now known as Mpoxas an emergency of public health of international interest (ESPII). While the disease did not cause great ravages in Cuba, it did keep the health authorities on alert until in May 2023 the emergency was built.
Those who have had a decisive impact in recent years are Arbovirosis. In particular, dengue, which in 2023 and 2024 reached record figures in the continent: 12.6 million cases, more than 21 thousand serious and about 7,700 deaths. Cuba, of course, could not escape that dynamic. Additionally, another arbovirosis –THE OROPOUCHE VIRUS– He arrived on the island and spread quickly last year, further complexing the health situation.
As seen, the summers of the last five years have been of everything but calm. But what did this hold Cubans from the epidemiological point of view?
Predictions fulfilled?
In An article published in June of this year, We analyzed the different epidemiological variables at the beginning of the summer and foresee that, although it would not be exempt from dangers and complications, it was thought that it would be quieter than the previous ones. Fortunately, it has been, according to the information provided by the National Director of Epidemiology of the Island, Dr. Francisco Durán.
According to the official In an interview granted to International Cubavisionthere is dengue transmission in 7 provinces, 9 municipalities and 9 health areas. He also reported on two serious cases and two critics diagnosed in the country. Even more widespread is the transmission of the Oopopouche fever, with cases detected in 11 provinces, 24 municipalities and 28 health areas.
In both cases it is a predictable behavior. Dengue, due to the interaction of various factors – the human susceptibility to the disease, the presence of the mosquito in certain regions, climatic variables such as the increase in temperatures and rains, as well as elements linked to the virus itself and in circulation strains – presents a cyclic pattern, with international peaks every four or five years. Currently, we are in the first of this cycle, after having faced high incidence figures, serious and deceased cases in the region.
Remember that dengue is already considered an endemic disease in Cuba, so the appearance of cases at this time of the year is normal and expected. The same is also predictable with the Oopopouche virus. In his case, the number of susceptible people is greater, since it has circulated for much less time. Unfortunately, little is still known about the immunity it generates, although it is supposed to suffer from it there is some degree of resistance in the body.
The vision of mortality linked to this disease is also changing, after The first two deceased will be reported in Brazil. So far they are the only known in the world. We will have to wait to see how it evolves in the future.
A virus that returns without invitation
At the end of July, the reappearance on the epidemiological stage of the Chikungunya virus island was news. According to the WHO, This pathogen It was discovered in 1952 in Tanzania and causes sporadic outbreaks in countries in Africa, America and Asia. It is another arbovirosis, that is, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes, characterized by fever and intense joint pains that sometimes persist for months after infection.
Chikungunya entered Cuba about ten years ago. In 2015 They were diagnosed 28 imported cases on the island. At that time, this disease, together with Zika, had become a ESPII due to its rapid expansion. In the country, interest then focused on Zika and Dengue, for implying greater gravity.
Since then, cases had not been reported again until, at the end of July, an outbreak was confirmed of Chikungunya in the Matancero municipality of Perico. Despite the authorities of the authorities to eliminate it through environmental sanitation actions against the mosquito Aedes aegypti —Agente transmitter of the disease – so far this sanitary event has not been closed. Fortunately, no dead or serious cases are reported, which is characteristic of this disease.
Increases the incidence of digestive diseases
Beyond the Arbovirosis paintings, which, as seen, have concentrated the attention of the health authorities, during these summer months there has been a typical behavior of digestive transmission diseases, which usually reach their peak precisely at this time of the year as a result of the increase in temperatures and rains.
In that sense, some outbreaks of hepatitis A were reported, which led to several embassies, including those of Spain and USAthey will recommend to their nationals to take precautions in case of traveling to the island.
It should be remembered that the hepatitis A virus is transmitted through contaminated water and food, and that the vaccine against this disease is not part of the national immunization scheme. To this is added the serious situation of supply of this resource facing the country, which favors the dissemination of the virus.
The following months
In the coming months the country will continue to support high temperatures and frequent rains. In that context, the incidence of dengue cases will probably continue to increase until it reaches its peak in October, as traditionally occurs. On the other hand, this rainy period also coincides with the rebound of leptospirosis.
To the above we must add the difficult sanitation situation, the fuel deficit for fumigation and weakening of the public health system. All this favors the proliferation of diseases. Therefore, individual responsibility for our health becomes a priority in this scenario.
