Alert for Increase in Hepatitis A in Cuba: These are the Symptoms

Cuban health authorities have issued an alert due to the increase in cases of hepatitis A in several regions of the country, highlighting the province of Sancti Spíritus, which reported around 1,080 diagnosed cases by the end of 2024.

This increase has led to the strengthening of prevention and control measures to avoid further spread of the disease, indicates a report from the official newspaper Escambray.

“At the end of 2024, a previously closed outbreak opened in La Sierpe; the cases that are still emerging have no geospatial relation to the first group of patients. Additionally, we have incidence, although to a lesser extent, in the municipalities of Sancti Spíritus and Cabaiguán”, said Doctor Yurien Negrín Calvo, Deputy Director of the Provincial Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology, and Microbiology.

Hepatitis A is an acute viral disease that affects the liver, primarily transmitted through the ingestion of water or food contaminated with the feces of infected individuals. Its spread is facilitated in conditions of poor hygiene and in areas with issues in the supply and treatment of drinking water.

Main symptoms

The symptoms of hepatitis A can vary in intensity and may sometimes be mistaken for other conditions. The most common include:

• Decline and fatigue.
• Loss of appetite.
• Low to moderate intensity fever.
• Jaundice: yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right area.
• Dark urine and light or whitish stools.

It is important to note that not all infected individuals exhibit all of these symptoms, and some may be asymptomatic, especially in children.

Prevention measures

To reduce the risk of infection, the following actions are recommended:

1. Boil the water intended for human consumption or treat it with sodium hypochlorite, following the guidelines provided by health authorities.
2. Thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before consumption.
3. Maintain strict personal hygiene, including frequent handwashing with water and soap, especially before eating and after using the restroom.
4. Disinfect surfaces and household utensils with chlorine solutions, especially in homes with infected individuals.
5. To prevent open defecation and ensure the proper disposal of fecal waste.

In December 2024, the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) confirmed a significant increase in this disease, primarily linked to the consumption of water contaminated with fecal matter.

One of the provinces most affected has been Cienfuegos. Last year, an outbreak was reported in the Reina neighborhood of the city, where over 5,000 residents were infected due to the contamination of drinking water with sewage.

Furthermore, the national director of Epidemiology of MINSAP, Francisco Durán, reported on an increase in diarrheal diseases, which are also related to water quality and food hygiene. Durán emphasized the importance of consuming boiled or chlorinated water and properly washing vegetables to prevent infections.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Increase in Hepatitis A Cases in Cuba