Complex epidemiological situation forces increased measures in Cuban province

SANCTI SPIRITUS, Cuba, Dec. 5 (ACN) With nearly 2,000 cases of fever reported in health facilities in each of the last two weeks and a high rate of infestation by the dengue and chikungunya vectors, the central province of Sancti Spiritus continues to face a complex epidemiological situation that necessitates strengthening medical care and surveillance.

As explained at a press conference by Dr. Carlos Ruiz Santos, director of the province's Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology, and Microbiology, although at the close of week 47 there are 38 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of chikungunya and NO active transmission of this disease, there is a high number of patients with symptoms suggestive of the disease, which only includes those identified by health facilities.

He also reported that the province has recorded two confirmed deaths from dengue and chikungunya to date—one of them a child

He detailed that this central region continues to experience dengue transmission in Area 1 of Trinidad and the South area of ​​the city of Sancti Spíritus, zones where adulticide treatment is being targeted.

He noted that, in an effort to reverse this unfavorable situation, approximately 36,000 homes were fumigated last week across all localities, and the targeted technical work continues with available resources.

He warned that another worrying factor is the vector infestation rate, which is nearly 1.0, well above permissible levels.

Furthermore, four of the eight municipalities (Sancti Spíritus, La Sierpe, Jatibonico, and Taguasco) are even above the provincial average. We must ensure that water storage containers in and around homes are controlled, as these are the locations where more than 80 percent of the detected breeding sites are found, the official emphasized.
He also reiterated the importance of intersectoral collaboration to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.

When questioned by the Cuban News Agency (ACN) about patients diagnosed with COVID-19, Ruiz Santos stated that there have been NO confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the last month.

However, he pointed out that close monitoring is also being maintained for respiratory illnesses given the time of year and their impact on the statistics of febrile cases.

We also have no cases of Zika or Oropouche, he explained. Dr. Francisco Fernandez Quintero, Director General of Health, affirmed that given the current situation in Sancti Spíritus, risk perception is crucial, as clinical examinations and other studies confirm the co-occurrence of vector-borne diseases and acute respiratory illnesses characteristic of this time of year.

In addition to strengthening medical and nursing care at the Jose Marti Perez Pediatric Hospital, the Camilo Cienfuegos Provincial General Hospital, and other municipal institutions, and increasing the number of beds available for those with fever, Fernandez Quintero mentioned among the measures adopted the fumigation of all homes with children under one year old and of pregnant women.