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An outbreak of diarrhea forced an emergency stop of extra train number 18, which was covering the Manzanillo-Havana route, after several passengers showed symptoms of food poisoning during the journey.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon, when the train was in the Jicotea Popular Council, Ranchuelo municipality, in the province of Villa Clara, reported the government journalist Henry Omar Pérez on his Facebook profile.
The protocols of the Provincial Health Directorate were immediately activated to assist the 653 passengers on board.
As part of the measures implemented, 29 people were referred to hospitals: five children to the Pediatric Hospital in Santa Clara and 21 adults to the Provincial Hospital Arnaldo Milián Castro.
Health authorities conducted a screening of 100% of travelers to identify any potential new cases and to implement measures for epidemiological control.
The state-aligned journalist emphasized that according to initial reports, there are no recorded fatalities or patients in serious condition.
According to the Facebook page La Tijera, the Bayamo–Manzanillo–Havana train departed on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.
According to their account, around 11:00 a.m. the next day, the first cases of vomiting and diarrhea began to appear among the passengers, including several children, and the situation worsened as the journey progressed.
Upon arriving at the village of Jicotea, in the province of Villa Clara, the locomotive had to stop to provide urgent medical care. An ambulance and medical personnel arrived on the scene and began transporting the patients to the nearest hospital.
La Tijera confirmed that the outbreak was caused by contaminated snacks sold on board by Ferrocarriles de Cuba. After 3:00 p.m. on that same September 18, the train was still stopped in the area, as noted.
From the authorities, it was reported that officials from the Party and the Government of Villa Clara and the municipality of Ranchuelo visited the site to oversee the assistance provided to those affected and to ensure compliance with health measures.
The situation has been described as stabilized due to the swift response of medical institutions and the support of local authorities, although epidemiological surveillance in the area continues.
Previously, El Toque reported that they had received a report stating that the train was stranded in Jicotea, Villa Clara, because more than 50 people had experienced diarrhea and vomiting; "it had to stop due to the seriousness of the situation."
They emphasized that a user reported that help for the sick was quickly mobilized in the town, but Viajero, the company under the Ministry of Transportation, "did not provide a solution for the stranded passengers in the area."
El Toque insisted that those affected "requested that the sick be transported by bus to Havana and that the rest could continue to their destination," although –according to the complaint– "they did not receive a response."
Furthermore, the complainant stated: “Were they waiting for them to fall due to weakness?”, highlighting the regime's negligence and complacency.
In July, several children from the municipality of Vertientes were hospitalized at the Provincial Pediatric Hospital of Camagüey after consuming gummy candies that contained marijuana, as confirmed by specialists in psychiatry and mental health from the medical center itself.
The alert was urgently issued by independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada and several mothers from Camagüey, who warned that all products from the brand Kush Queen contain psychoactive substances, posing a serious risk to children's health.
Subsequently, health authorities confirmed that three children from the municipality of Vertientes were hospitalized urgently after consuming gummies that contained marijuana.
Frequently asked questions about the diarrhea outbreak on the Manzanillo-Havana train
What caused the diarrheal outbreak on the Manzanillo-Havana train?
The diarrheal outbreak was caused by contaminated snacks sold aboard the train, according to reports from the Facebook page La Tijera. This led to symptoms of food poisoning in several passengers.
How many passengers were affected by the diarrheal outbreak?
A total of 653 passengers were on the train, of which 29 individuals were taken to hospitals for medical attention, including five children and 21 adults.
What measures were taken after the diarrheal outbreak on the train?
The protocols of the Provincial Health Directorate have been activated to assist the affected passengers. Additionally, a 100% screening of travelers was conducted to identify new cases and implement epidemiological control measures.
What was the authorities' reaction to the incident on the Manzanillo-Havana train?
The local authorities and officials from the Party and Government of Villa Clara visited the site to oversee the assistance provided to those affected and the compliance with health measures. However, Empresa Viajero did not offer solutions for the stranded passengers, which led to criticism over the slow response.
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