Alert for circulation of the Oropouche virus in Pinar del Río.

Cuban authorities confirmed that the circulation of the Oropouche virus in Pinar del Río is a threat to public health.

The specialists have identified this virus in the provincial capital, mainly in the Raúl Sánchez Health area, following a significant increase in patients with non-specific febrile syndromes that did not correspond to dengue.

Doctor Giselle Ramos Águila, provincial director of Epidemiology, told Guerrillero that the detection of the Oropouche virus occurred after a meticulous process of differential diagnosis.

He highlighted the similarity between Oropouche and dengue, emphasizing the need to implement a rigorous surveillance protocol to prevent its spread.

So far, no severe cases have been reported, but the situation requires special attention. The established protocol includes recommending the population to visit health centers when experiencing symptoms of non-specific fever.

Doctors will be responsible for making the differential diagnosis and determining the need for hospital admission, especially for vulnerable groups such as children under two years old, pregnant women, postpartum women, and people with comorbidities.

The Oropouche virus manifests with fever, headache, joint pain, and in some cases, gingival bleeding.

The prevention measures are the same throughout the country: carry out self-focusing and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. Both actions have proven to be insufficient as the virus has spread throughout Cuba.

The emergence of the Oropouche virus and the increase in dengue cases add pressure to a depleted healthcare system, lacking medications and even professionals in hospitals and clinics.

The government warned that they do not have resources to fumigate households and apparently also do not have fuel to collect the garbage that is scattered everywhere, while unsanitary conditions grow in Cuba.