Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Havana, Dec 1. Cuba's Ministry of Public Health (Minsap) confirmed today 33 deaths from arbovirosis in the country, amid a complex epidemiological situation where dengue and chikungunya maintain widespread circulation.
Minsap Vice Minister Carilda Peña García detailed on national television that of that total, 12 deaths correspond to dengue (seven of them under 18 years old) and 21 to chikungunya (14 under 18 years old).
Although the febrile syndrome surveillance system shows a general downward trend, the official warned about a group of territories where the trend is increasing.
Additionally, she explained that the endemic corridor for fever is in an epidemic zone, except for the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud and Matanzas; the rest of Cuba's provinces show behavior toward an epidemic.
Regarding specific diseases, 5,717 new cases of chikungunya were reported in the week, the vast majority by clinical-epidemiological suspicion.
The cumulative total up to Sunday is 38,938 cases, of which 37,678 are clinical suspicions and 1,260 confirmed by PCR.
Dengue persists in 14 provinces of the largest of the Antilles, said Peña García.
On the diagnostic strategy, she explained the particularity of the Cuban system that PCR is the confirmatory test, but in an epidemic situation like the current one in the country, cases with clinical-epidemiological suspicions are also considered positive.
On the anti-vectorial fight front, an increase in the infestation index was reported, reaching 0.89, with the provinces of Camagüey, Pinar del Río, Santiago de Cuba, Sancti Spíritus, and Havana showing the highest values.
However, an improvement in adulticide treatment was highlighted, with compliance rising from 79% to 90% of what was planned.
The vice minister made an alert call to the population, especially families, to strengthen control and protection measures, particularly with the most vulnerable groups such as elderly people living alone and children under one year old. (Source: Prensa Latina)
