While the Oropouche virus continues to plague the residents of Santiago de Cuba and appears to have claimed at least one victim, another threat further complicates the already critical epidemiological situation in the eastern territory, upon confirming that two serotypes of dengue circulatewhich could cause the emergence of serious forms of that disease.
The Provincial Department of Surveillance and Vector Control launched an alert this Friday regarding the presence of two variants of the virus that causes the dengueat times when “the territory has a high infestation of the transmitting agent”, mainly in the main municipality, in Palma Soriano, Contramaestre, Mella and San Luiswhere more cases of arbovirus are reported.
Alfredo Cintra Guerraresponsible for that entity, assured the official newspaper Sierra Maestra “that the circulation of two serotypes of the dengue virus has been proven,” and warned that, therefore, there is a “high probability of severe forms of the disease if prevention measures are not applied in a timely manner.”
According to the official, “actions are carried out in the communities aimed at eliminating micro-gardens, leaks, obstructions and other conditions that favor the proliferation of mosquitoes”.
Despite the seriousness of the matter, which worsens the already difficult health outlook in Santiago de Cuba, hit since the beginning of May by Oropouche feverthe newspaper note admits that “current economic limitations prevent wide-ranging interventions.”
Although “Public Health continues to carry out adulticidal (fumigation) and focal treatment at the home of cases of non-specific febrile syndrome and in surrounding properties, as well as in blocks with dengue transmission,” the report states, “this is not sufficient to guarantee the containment of arboviruses.”
The newspaper urges the population to “act for collective health” from their neighborhoods, homes and workplaces, but does not explain what resources people have to do so, if the State itself hides behind “economic limitations” to justify its lack of effectiveness in stopping both epidemic outbreaks.
According to the director of Surveillance and Vector Control, “the low tank continues to be the most frequent deposit in the detection of outbreaks” and he warned about the increase in artificial breeding sites in homes, for example, empty bottles, cans and unburied tires that are filled with water and where the mosquito breeds Aedes.
The manager added that the sanitation of patios and other spaces in the residential sector is deficient.
The note recalled that “severe dengue can kill” and that “children, pregnant women, the chronically ill and the elderly are the people most at risk.”
He warned that “all care is insufficient to defend the integrity and well-being of our families,” and listed actions to prevent the spread of the virus: eliminate objects that can become breeding sites, mow grassy areas, open ditches to prevent the accumulation of water. of rain in puddles, do not dump waste on public roads and go to the doctor if a fever occurs.
Sierra Maestra He stated that these measures would also prevent Oropouche fever, and would prevent “two epidemics from overshadowing the joy and recreation that summer usually brings.”
Meanwhile, the government continues without publishing figures of those diagnosed with the Oropouche virus, which It has already expanded to Cienfuegos and Mayabequebut it could be present in other Cuban provinces.
The authorities of the regime also maintain absolute silence about the death of people due to this virus, although the day before it was known through unofficial reports from the death of the young man from Santiago, Richard Daniel Nieves Chaveco, 22 years oldwho was hospitalized with Oropouche symptoms.
The university student, a resident of the II Frente municipality, died three days after being admitted to the Ambrosio Grillo Hospital, in the Santiago de Cuba municipality, with symptoms of the virus.
