Cuban province strengthen actions against the presence of Chikungunya

MATANZAS, Cuba, Aug 4 (ACN) Vector-based and active screening procedures, fumigation (focal fumigation), and environmental sanitation are among the hygienic-epidemiological actions being carried out in the municipality of Perico, in the Cuban western province of Matanzas, following the detection of cases of Chikungunya virus.

According to information provided by Andres Lamas Acevedo, director of the Provincial Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology (CPHEM), an active surveillance system was established in the batey of Central España, where cases of this type of arbovirus were detected in mid-July, with personnel mobilized from Cardenas, Colon, Jovellanos, Matanzas, and Limonar.

One of the most impactful preventive measures was the relocate of pregnant women from the España Popular Council to the Perico maternity home, Lamas Acevedo told the local weekly Giron, and emphasized that medical care and rehabilitation are being provided to patients with joint injuries.

The official emphasized that thanks to the contingency measures, a decrease in febrile cases has already been observed, which helps to concentrate the disease and prevent its spread to other municipalities. Furthermore, no serious cases or deaths have been reported to date, and hospitals are ready to receive patients.

Berta M. Bello Rodriguez, deputy director of the CPHEM, stated in exclusive statements to the Cuban News Agency that, except for the chikungunya incident in Perico, the epidemiological situation in the territory this year is more favorable compared to the same period last year, which was marked by an increase in fevers due to the spread of Oropouche.

The doctor insisted that during summer, health and hygiene measures in the community and at home must be strengthened, as well as ensuring self-care and collective responsibility to prevent the spread of arboviruses and other respiratory illnesses.

Regarding the latter, she noted that the province is making progress with booster vaccinations against Covid-19 for at-risk groups such as those over 65, people with chronic kidney disease, pregnant women, and public health personnel, among others.