The Cuban regime reported this Wednesday that the Oropouche virus has spread to 12 provinces of the country, and that they do not have resources to start fumigation campaigns to prevent the spread of the transmitting mosquito.
The National Director of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), Francisco Durán, confirmed on national television that the virus has been identified to a greater extent in rural and semi-rural areas, and patients tend to exhibit symptoms similar to dengue.
The epidemiologist points out that the disease causes a set of symptoms including fever, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and a terrible headache. It lasts between three and four days, and does not lead to severe cases, complications, or death.
While being treated with medications for fever and gravinol when there are vomits, "it is important not to underestimate the symptoms because they are similar to dengue; but dengue can kill you, hence the importance of having the diagnosis done by a specialist," detailed Durán.
According to the expert, "the current epidemiological situation in Cuba is similar to that of last year, with diarrheal diseases caused by heat, the poor condition of food; dengue, which has been endemic for many years with increases in cases in some periods of the year."
However, it is marked by the appearance - for the first time in Cuba - of the Oropouche virus, an arbovirus that, unlike dengue, is transmitted by the Culex mosquito and thrives in any type of water.
"Among the difficulties of sanitation, the intense rains and the heat that accelerates the mosquito's reproduction, there are ideal conditions for its spread," Durán explained.
Last week, the specialist said that the country does not have fuel to fumigate against mosquitoes, amidst a growing presence of the Oropouche virus in Cuba.
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