The province of Matanzas activated an alert to monitor cases of fever and diarrhea after the presence of the virus in Cuban territory was confirmed. Oropouchean emerging disease in the Americas.
Dr. Amancio Martínez Morejón, deputy director of the Provincial Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology of Matanzas, told the newspaper Giron that in the province several municipalities report an increase in symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, which are associated with the disease, but no case has been confirmed.
“The Oropouche virus has a period of incubation five to seven dayswith dengue-like symptoms, such as myalgia (muscle pain), arthralgia (joint pain), headache, and photophobia (sensitivity to light). So far there are no serious cases or deaths due to this cause. It is transmitted by the bite of midges and the Culex mosquito, which develops in poor hygienic conditions,” explained Martínez Morejón.
The specialist called on the population to take preventive measures, especially performing autofocus, to avoid contagion.
He said that although the first cases of Oropouche fever have been diagnosed in health areas of Santiago de Cuba“The conditions are in place for the virus to appear in Matanzas due to our multiple exchange relationships,” the doctor warned.
He adds that with the increase in temperatures and the beginning of the cyclonic and rainy season starting in June, a proliferation of vectors such as mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches and mice is expected, which could increase the conditions caused by these insects.
