The Cuban Government assured this Monday that the outbreak of chikungunya and dengue is moving “towards an improvement in control” in Cuba, although “the curve” in the graph of new cases “is still in the epidemic zone.”
The Vice Minister of Public Health, Carilda Peña, made these statements on television, where she noted, without giving absolute figures, that new cases of nonspecific febrile syndrome (high fever is the first symptom of both arboviruses) have been reduced by 21% compared to the previous week.
Regarding dengue, he acknowledged that last week the incidence rate rose to 15.25 infected per 100,000 inhabitants. This, out of a total population of 9.7 million people – according to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) – would mean about 1,480 new infections.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which collects official Cuban figures, indicated last week that, from the beginning of the year until the end of November, the number of total infections due to this disease in Cuba amounted to 25,995.
Regarding chikungunya, the official also did not provide figures for new or total cases, but stated that it has been reduced by 20%. On Friday the official figures spoke of 44,604 infections.
Peña also did not refer to the number of deaths from the epidemic, which on Friday rose to 47, according to official figures. Two thirds of them were minors.
The attention of the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap) is on “neonates, infants, pregnant women and young people,” said Peña.
The number of patients in intensive care was reduced to 42, of which 12 are in critical condition (mostly minors). “The trend continues to be downward,” added the vice minister.
EFE has contacted the Cuban Government to have access to more data about the epidemic, but so far has not received a response.
The health authorities have reiterated that the numbers of infected people are underreported, because many patients do not go to medical centers (mainly due to the deterioration of public services on the island).
Three new deaths due to dengue and chikungunya epidemic in Cuba increase the number to 47
The Cuban Government recognized for the first time on November 12 that the country was suffering from a chikungunya and dengue epidemic, despite the fact that the first cases were diagnosed in July and that infections had skyrocketed in September and October.
The epidemic has found fertile ground in Cuba to spread due to the serious economic and energy crisis suffered by the country, which has led to a notable deterioration in public services.
This limits the capacity for prevention – from massive fumigation against mosquitoes to systematic garbage collection -, control – with tests to confirm the type of disease – and care for the sick, due to a lack of medicines and other health supplies.
EFE/OnCuba.
