Madrid/Dr. Francisco Durán García, National Director of Epidemiology, attends the news to update the situation of the country, every Wednesday, to update the situation of the country, But this weekhad no alarming data to comment: the Oropoucouche is under control, although it circulates in seven provinces, and the same goes for dengue, which has around 2,500 people admitted to three provinces, but only a serious case, in Sancti Spíritus. The concern, in this case, is on the other side of the border, with the serious measles outbreak that affects the US.
Measles, one of the most contagious diseases in the world, is spreading for nine states and there are already more than 200 cases. Most of those affected were unnoticed people and, most serious, after the death this Thursday of an adult in New Mexico, there are already two dead who leaves.
In that state there are ten people infected, all children under 17, of which seven were not vaccinated, while the rest is not probably either, since their history does not appear.
In that state there are ten people infected, all children under 17, of which seven were not vaccinated, while the rest probably either, since their history does not appear
Until now, the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) measles cases in Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island and Texas have been reported. In the latter, the first case occurred last week with the deadly result of the last 30 years and the last 10 throughout the country.
The New Mexico Department of Health had to remember that the only way to avoid measles is vaccination, and urged residents to protect themselves and their families. In the US, an anti -vacussion movement that gains strength has emerged, with more than 20 bills currently in consideration to lighten the regulations that exist in this area.
The panorama is such that the Secretary of Health and Human Services himself, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti -vaccine positions, has asked the population to injject the viral triple, although he has not stopped recommending some useless products to avoid the disease, such as vitamin A, which has made the alarms jump among scientists.
Francisco Durán recalled in the news that measles is eradicated in Cuba since 1993, seven years before the US, and urged citizens not to fail in control. “To prevent it, you put a vaccine at the age of six years old, which is a vaccine that is triple. It is called the triple viral because it has mumps, rubella and measles, which are three eliminated diseases from our country. I take advantage, as always, to insist that mothers are attentive,” he said.
The space did not address, on the other hand, an issue that has occupied international attention this week, when the 2025 world obesity atlas has been published, which leaves data for the reflection of the island’s authorities.
In the midst of a serious food insecurity, the number of Cubans with obesity reached 24% and is estimated to increase by 2030. In addition, even worse – in figures – it is overweight, which will affect half of the population, about 5.53 million, according to the accounts of the World Federation of Obesity.
The overweight is, in Cuba, greater than the world average, although it is below the records of the continent, which has alarming numbers in both very rich countries, and the US – one of the worst of the world – as in the very poor, as Haiti. However, the island’s data are disturbing.
The overweight is, in Cuba, greater than the world average, although it is below the records of the continent, which has alarming numbers in both very rich and very poor countries
Cubans have between 60% and 80% likely to be overweight throughout their adult life and worsening is in sight. In 2030, 2.95 million women and 2.58 million men in Cuba will have overweight or obesity, compared to 2.39 and 2.06 million that entered that category in 2015.
The chances of being obese in Cuba are, yes, minor. Less than 10% among men and between 10% and 20% in the case of women.
The Atlas indicates that in 2021, 3,594 deaths linked to overweight and obesity were recorded on the island, mainly due to cardiovascular diseases and different types of cancer. In addition, there were 114,248 people who suffered health problems related to a high body mass index (BMI), among which type 2 (affecting almost half).
The study determined that the consumption of sugary drinks is high on the island, with between 1 and 2.5 liters per person a week. In addition, there is little physical activity. The organization alerts the State for its neglect in the case: in the last five years there have been no surveys about obesity and overweight, insane diets or physical activity. Nor has it taken measures to tax sugary drinks.
The Cuban diet is very conditioned by the scarcity and increasing of fresh products such as fruits and vegetables, but also for a low food education and lack of measures that favor the consumption of the healthiest possible foods. On the other hand, to try to satisfy the population, processed products are invested and/or subsidized, with sugars – or carbohydrates that release them – that worsen health.
“More people die due to obesity than in traffic accidents every year,” said the president of the World Obesity Federation on Monday when presenting the report. An epidemic to which less attention is paid than necessary.
