Health authorities in the province of Las Tunas confirmed the circulation of the Oropouche virus in the municipality of Colombia, after analyzing two samples sent to the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK).
Although there have been suspicions of the virus presence in the territory of Las Tunas for several weeks due to the increase in cases of fever and diarrhea, it was not until now that the circulation of this arbovirus was confirmed, local press reported on Facebook.
Doctor Aldo Cortés, deputy director of the Provincial Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology Hygiene, asked the residents of the province to go to the health centers in case of any nonspecific febrile syndrome and to increase communal hygiene to prevent the proliferation of mosquitoes, both Aedes aegypti and Culex, which transmit the disease.
According to the newspaper, the epidemiological situation in Las Tunas is complicated by the presence of multiple respiratory and digestive viruses that may be accompanied by fever.
Cortés highlighted the importance of self-responsibility of individuals in protecting against mosquito bites, seeking medical consultation for any symptoms, and providing special protection to high-risk groups such as the elderly and people with comorbidities.
Recently, Cuban health authorities urged not to underestimate the symptoms and to seek medical attention in case of fever, as they are similar to those of dengue, a more serious disease that does cause deaths on the island.
Until last week, at least 12 Cuban provinces had confirmed the presence of the Oropouche virus in their territories. The disease, although not new in Latin America, is being reported for the first time on the island.
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