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The health authorities of the Dominican Republic have implemented special controls at Joaquín Balaguer Airport following the detection of three imported cases of chikungunya in travelers arriving from Cuba, a situation that has put the country's epidemiological teams on alert.
According to El Nuevo Diario, since Thursday, medical personnel have been welcoming each passenger arriving from the island with interviews, check-ups, and verification of contact information, in an effort to prevent any possibility of local transmission.
Travelers are questioned about symptoms in the last 72 hours, and addresses and phone numbers are recorded both in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. If someone displays symptoms compatible with the virus, such as high fever, severe joint pain, or rashes, the case is immediately reported to the Ministry of Health.
In a conversation with Noticias Sin, Dr. María Isabel Martínez, who coordinates part of the operation, explained that the aim is to minimize the risk of people in the incubation period entering the country undetected. "If we find any suspicious symptoms, the protocol is activated immediately," she stated.
Health Minister Víctor Atallah insisted that there is no local transmission of the virus in the Dominican Republic and urged the public to remain calm, although he acknowledged that the finding confirms the effectiveness, and also the necessity, of the epidemiological surveillance system.
The authorities issued preventive alerts to health centers across the country due to the possibility that some travelers may develop symptoms days after entering Dominican territory.
The concern arises in a complex regional context, with Cuba experiencing a severe epidemiological crisis, thousands of undiagnosed patients with fevers, a sustained increase in chikungunya and dengue, and entire provinces in epidemic phase.
The island reports more than 35,000 cases of chikungunya this year and acknowledges failures in the prevention of the transmitting mosquito, in addition to significant underreporting of unspecified febrile cases.
The reinforcement at Dominican airports reflects the regional fear that the Cuban health crisis could lead to infections in neighboring countries. Meanwhile, teams remain stationed at the airport terminal and authorities insist on a clear message: do not self-medicate, seek medical attention if experiencing any suspicious symptoms, and maintain community vigilance to prevent the reintroduction of the virus.
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