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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.