Authorities point out Holguín, Moa, Mayarí, Gibara, Rafael Freyre, Báguanos, Cueto and Urbano Noris as high-risk territories.
LIMA, Peru – In the province of Holguín there is no proven active transmission of arbovirosis, although there are cases in most of the 14 municipalities, reported Dr. Geanela Cruz Ávila, director of the Provincial Center of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology.
In statements to the state newspaper Now!the board warned that Holguín, Moa, Mayarí, Gibara, Rafael Freyre, Báguanos, Cueto and “Urbano Noris” are high-risk territories and among the medium-risk ones are “Calixto García”, Antilla, Cacocum, Sagua de Tánamo, Banes and Frank País.
“No municipality is exempt from danger, because at this time of year an increase in the transmission of arboviruses is historically observed, in addition to the environmental risks that also constitute a problem in our province today,” said Cruz Ávila.
Currently in Holguín the circulation of dengue is confirmed, specifically serotype four. In this regard, the doctor recalled that dengue has four serotypes and also confirmed the presence of chikungunya in the town of Cristino Naranjo, municipality of Cacocum.
“So far, there is no positivity, although yes, I reiterate, the threat of the appearance of these arboviruses and localized transmission in some territory is present,” he highlighted.
Yes ok the health crisis On the Island it is serious, marked by the lack of medicines and essential hospital supplies, the directive stressed that everyone must go to the doctor, without fail, in the event of non-specific fever syndrome accompanied by muscle, joint and retro-ocular pain; general malaise and headache, although abdominal pain, nausea, and taste disorders may also appear.
The authority also stated that focal tests with monoserum are being carried out in Holguín and a quality control is sent to the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK); as well as PCR studies are carried out for the diagnosis and confirmation of all arboviruses.
Vulnerability in Cuba to arboviruses
Last Wednesday, Dr. Francisco Durán García, national director of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), offered a new report on the epidemiological situation of Cuba, marked by the simultaneous circulation of three arboviruses. The official denied rumors of mass deaths in Matanzas and insisted that the health system “responds” to the emergency. However, the context that the population lives is radically different from that official version.
“No deaths have been reported,” Durán said, referring to versions that spoke of “11 deaths in one night” in Matanzas. The epidemiologist added that “the health system is working in an organized manner and with reinforcements in the most affected territories,” and that “despite the difficulties, services have not collapsed.”
The official’s words contrast with the reality that patients and families face: hospitals without hygiene, with a lack of beds, a shortage of basic supplies and medicines, while infections spread in areas where Garbage accumulates uncontrollably.
According to Durán, “dengue, chikungunya and Oropouche are circulating in the country.” Dengue maintains active transmission in 12 provinces, 36 municipalities and 44 health areas. Chikungunya was initially detected in Matanzas and is expanding in that province. The Oropouche, for its part, is present in 12 provinces, 26 municipalities and 31 health areas, although with a tendency towards a decrease in cases.
The epidemiologist specified that “so far four patients hospitalized for dengue have been reported: three in serious condition and one in critical condition.” Regarding the advance of chikungunya, he pointed out that “it does not cause highly lethal conditions, but its expansion requires constant surveillance.”
The problem lies not only in the circulation of viruses, but in the real inability of the health system to confront them. Most of the country’s hospitals are in deplorable conditions: dirty, without running water, with unusable bathrooms and overcrowded wards. Many patients must sleep in hallways or bring their own sheets and syringes.
Added to this is the chronic shortage of medicines. Painkillers, serums or antibiotics are absent from state pharmacies and are only available in the informal market at very high prices. A box of paracetamol can cost several days’ wages.
