Major Risk Perception is Demanded in the Presence of Mosquitos

HAVANA, Cuba, Mar 10 (acn) The infestation rate of the Aedes Aegypti and albopictus mosquitoes has decreased in the province of Camaguey since mid-February when the hygiene campaign began but there is a need for more risk perception among the population.

Out of the 0.48 positive sites detected with mosquitoes for every 100 reported inspections in the territory before February 15th, it has decreased a 0.25 according to the Provincial Public Health Center.

But this figure is still five times more than what is permissible to avoid the transmission of the virus like dengue, chikunguya and zika whose presence in the continent constitutes an emergency for health institutions in the world.

During an interview with the press, Dr. Carlos Diaz Leal, representative of Environmental Health in the Provincial Hygiene and Epidemiology Center in Camaguey pointed out that the population must still learn more on the consequences of these viruses.

As one of those responsible in training regarding diseases transmitted by the mosquitoes, the specialist warned that the World Health Organization declared an International Public Health /Emergency before the rapid expansion of Zika.

Zika is a recent virus and the population does not have antibodies and although up until now it's less dangerous than the dengue or chikunguya, no one knows its future development, said the specialist.

There have been reports of possible neurological disorders like the Guillain-Barre syndrome and micro cephalic congenital malformations in babies with mothers infected during pregnancy.

The only effective way of eliminating such consequences is the reduction of the mosquitoes and that is why it is important the population's cooperation to stop the vital cycle of the mosquito and to eradicate them in its adult life, said Dr. Diaz Leal.

Cuba has only confirmed two cases of imported Zika so far, but the presence of its transmitting agent in the country and the high incidence of cases in over 30 countries in the region constitute favorable elements for its expansion on the island.