Related videos:
Santiago de Cuba is currently under health alert due to the sustained increase in fever cases associated with dengue and chikungunya, as confirmed by sources from the Ministry of Public Health cited by the official broadcaster CMKC Radio Revolución.
Health authorities -who acknowledged on Tuesday that there was an epidemic- report an active transmission of both viruses, with a daily average ranging between 1,200 and 1,234 patients with fever of unspecified origin, the report states.
The recent passage of a hurricane through the region worsened the situation by increasing the proliferation of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the vector that transmits these diseases.
The Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) confirmed the increased circulation of the chikungunya virus, which was first detected in Africa in 1952 and has spread throughout the Americas since 2014.
Its rapid expansion in Cuba is attributed to the high density of mosquitoes, the movement of people, and deficiencies in local health management.
Chikungunya causes high fevers and severe joint pain, which can become debilitating.
The acute phase typically lasts between 7 and 10 days, although symptoms may persist for weeks or even months.
In contrast, dengue, in its more aggressive variants, can cause internal bleeding and serious complications, especially in individuals who have previously contracted a different serotype of the virus.
The accurate diagnosis of chikungunya can only be made from the sixth day of the illness, through a serological analysis, which causes confusion with other viral infections, health authorities point out.
In hospitals, admissions are provisionally classified as suspected cases of dengue or chikungunya, aimed at facilitating epidemiological surveillance.
Although chikungunya historically does not exhibit high mortality rates, it can lead to severe complications when chronic diseases coexist or when there is coinfection with dengue.
In fatal cases, it is necessary to conduct post-mortem studies to determine the exact cause of death.
Health authorities emphasize the importance of visiting a doctor at any signs of fever, rashes, or severe joint pain, and they recommend taking extra precautions to prevent mosquito breeding sites.
Filed under: