So far this year, three people have died in Cuba from serious complications of dengue, a disease that is currently actively circulating in 12 provinces along with Chikungunya in eight territories, in the midst of the serious epidemiological situation that the country faces.
The Cuban Vice Minister of Public Health, Carilda Peña, indicated today that the three deaths were confirmed through obituary studies of the bodies and the previous diagnosis of the patients. However, it did not detail the dates of the deaths, the profile of the dead or in which territories they resided.
In statements to state television, Peña assured that these viruses represent a “national” problem because the mosquito infestation rates are “very high” and the situation due to the lack of fuel in the country is “very complex” to be able to carry out the necessary fumigations.
The data officially comes to light today, a week after the minister of that branch, José Ángel Portal Miranda, stressed that “there are no deaths, no serious or critical cases” due to these causes.
“Everything we are saying has laboratory support. No one can hide an epidemic or the deaths,” the official quoted by the Girón newspaperaccompanied by the highest authorities of the Party and the Government in the province.
Carilda Peña assured that dengue, transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and endemic in the country, can lead to critical conditions, unlike Chikungunya, which does not register deaths. according to Latin Press.
Active dengue in 36 municipalities of the country
According to the official, it affects 36 municipalities and 44 health areas, with peaks in May-June and September-October due to rain, high temperatures and humidity that drive the proliferation of the vector.
There are no cases in Isla de la Juventud, Mayabeque, Holguín or Granma. Meanwhile, Chikungunya is detected in Havana, Artemisa, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Granma, Guantánamo and Holguín, with sporadic transmission in Matanzas since June.
Meanwhile, the Oropouche remains in isolated cases. Peña specified that in Matanzas “there is no chikungunya outbreak,” but the analyzes revealed underlying dengue.
Peña explained that the rainy season also increases acute diarrheal diseases, nine respiratory viruses, hepatitis A and other enteric viruses.
On the 9th, Portal Miranda detailed that the rebound in cases responds to the high susceptibility of the population, after several years without intense circulation of these viruses, and to the environmental conditions that favor the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
In recent days, the official message has not dispelled the doubts or discomfort of many Matanzas residents, who on social networks and community spaces question the transparency of information and the management of the causes of the outbreak.
Meanwhile, the health authorities then announced a package of measures that includes reinforcement of polyclinics, support with medicines and supplies, sanitation and fumigation actions.
Currently, some 2,500 students from the University of Medical Sciences (UCMM) are currently participating in actions linked to the fight against arboviruses. In addition, the province received a reinforcement of 28 bazookas and expects 30 more in the coming days, concentrating resources in Matanzas and Cárdenas due to their population density and number of cases.
