The Ministry of Public Health confirmed the presence of this virus in nine Cuban provinces, among them, Sancti Spíritus
Given the appearance of symptoms, similar to those of dengue, the importance of attending the institutions of the Public Health system is insisted.
To go quickly to the healthcare units when fever, diarrhea, vomiting, general malaise, as well as muscle, headache and joint pain occur, urged the health authorities of Sancti Spíritus, given the circulation of the Oropouche virus in this central territory of Cuba. .
Dr. Yurien Negrín Calvo, deputy director of Epidemiology at the Provincial Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology (CPHEM), stated that the first cases of patients from Sancti Spiritus diagnosed with the disease, based on the study of samples sent and analyzed at the national reference laboratory of the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK), in Havana, were reported specifically in the Popular Council of Santa Lucía, belonging to Health Area Number 1, in Cabaiguán, and in Colón, South Area, in the main city.
Currently, we are waiting for the results of the samples sent to the IPK from people residing in Mayajigua, Yaguajay, with symptoms typical of Oropouche fever, added Negrín Calvo.
The deputy director of Epidemiology of the CPHEM clarified that, according to the established protocol, the tests to diagnose the presence of the virus, known as real-time PCR, are not performed on all patients with the aforementioned symptoms; but to certain patients from health areas with a high number of febrile cases.
Given the appearance of symptoms, similar to those of dengue, Negrín Calvo insisted on the importance of attending the institutions of the Public Health system, where there are professionals trained to tell people the behavior to follow.
Self-care is essential, emphasized the specialist, who pointed out that the province does not register deaths from Oropouche fever; However, she drew attention to how dangerous the dehydration process is, especially in patients with comorbidities.
The CPHEM official expressed concern about the high number of Sancti Spiritus residents with fever, diarrhea and general malaise who do not attend to receive the corresponding medical attention.
At the same time, it recommended increasing environmental sanitation in the community and in work entities, since the circulation of the Oropouche virus is directly linked to the increase in the presence of its transmitting agents: mosquitoes of the genus Culex and diptera of the genus culicidae (culicoid midge).
Precisely, in a recent evaluation of the epidemiological situation, as well as the preparation and organization of Sancti Spíritus in the face of the current complex panorama, representatives of the Ministry of Public Health, led by Dr. Francisco Durán, national director of Epidemiology, directed to increase the actions of prevention among citizens with a view to facing the number of non-specific febrile cases, rising this year in official statistics to more than 9,500, equivalent to an increase of about 2,000 in relation to the same period of the previous year.
A note published on the Minsap website In the last few hours, it confirmed the presence of the Oropouche virus in 23 municipalities and nine provinces: Matanzas, Mayabeque, Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, Holguín, Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos.
