Cuba Faces Urgent Battle Against Rising Dengue & Arbovirus Cases
Cuba is currently grappling with a significant surge in Aedes aegypti mosquito populations and, consequently, a high incidence of arboviral diseases like dengue and chikungunya. Authorities are implementing a nationwide response, focusing on both mosquito control and heightened medical vigilance, notably for vulnerable populations.
The provinces of Pinar del Río, Sancti Spíritus, Camagüey, Santiago de Cuba, Havana, and Villa Clara are experiencing the most severe mosquito infestations. A key component of the national strategy is intensive fumigation, aiming to cover all urban areas within three weeks. While progress is being made, recent data indicates that only Mayabeque, Havana, Cienfuegos, Ciego de Ávila, and Santiago de Cuba have achieved over 95% coverage in the last week.
Officials are emphasizing the legal obligation of residents to allow vector control teams access to their homes for fumigation, citing that refusal constitutes a public health risk and could be considered a crime. Following treatment, residents are instructed to keep their homes closed for 45 minutes to maximize effectiveness. Beyond fumigation, authorities are stressing the importance of community involvement in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds – including regularly cleaning water tanks and properly utilizing larvicide (abate). Citizens are encouraged to report concerns or complaints to their local polyclinic’s Vector control Department or the municipal Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology.
Protecting the Most Vulnerable: Children & Pregnant Women
The Ministry of Public Health has issued specific protocols for managing potential arbovirus cases in children and pregnant women, recognizing their heightened risk of complications.
Dr. Yamirka Montesino Felipe, a leading pediatric intensive care specialist, announced that all children under two years of age presenting with fever should be immediately hospitalized for close monitoring and early intervention. Infants under three months and children with pre-existing conditions like cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, or chronic kidney disease require even more intensive care. The emphasis is on rapid diagnosis and treatment to prevent severe outcomes. Symptoms in children include persistent, challenging-to-manage fever lasting 48-72 hours, skin rashes (ranging from redness to blisters), and joint pain, though typically less severe than in adults. Gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration, are also common, highlighting the critical need for adequate hydration, particularly continued breastfeeding for infants.
Similarly, pregnant women experiencing fever are to be immediately admitted to hospitals. Dr. Diana couto Núñez,president of the cuban Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics,explained this protocol ensures expert diagnosis and symptom management,preventing potentially serious complications. She stressed the importance of seeking medical attention at the first sign of illness, especially for pregnant women with comorbidities like hypertension or diabetes. The national health system is actively tracking morbidity reports from all provinces to monitor the situation closely.
This multi-faceted approach underscores the urgency of the situation and the commitment to protecting the health of the Cuban population during this arbovirus outbreak.
