Cuban health authorities reported a increase in chikungunya cases, after diagnosing 466 new cases in the last day, of which 26 were confirmed by PCR and 440 corresponded to clinical suspicion.
As reported by the Vice Minister of Public Health, Carilda Peña García, in a television update on the epidemiological situation in the country, the health system captured 2,712 people with nonspecific febrile syndrome.
He 79.5% of these patients remained admitted at home. Likewise, he indicated that they remained 31,802 people admitteda figure that – as he explained – was lower than the previous day due to the granting of discharges.
Although she stressed that “chikungunya is what prevails,” the vice minister warned about dengue: the incidence rate of suspected cases was at 6.52, above that recorded on the same day of the previous week (3.81).
Regarding oropouche, he pointed out that the country remained without diagnosed cases.
In relation to serious cases, Peña reported that admission to intensive care rooms decreased by 6 compared to the previous day, although he highlighted that the largest number of people with conditions of this type correspond to those under 18 years of age.
He added that behavior in newborns, infants and other children up to 18 years of age continues to be evaluated, and explained that children in the infant stage are also getting sick, not only linked to the time of birth.
According to his statement, critical cases remained stable under “very intense surveillance”, with the aim of achieving discharge “without danger to life”.
Regarding vector control, the vice minister reported the collection of 137 mosquito outbreaks and an infection rate of 0.47, which he described as “propitious” for transmission.
He also pointed out that the adulticidal treatment reached 97.5% of what was planned for the day and asked the population to keep the premises closed for 45 minutes after the fumigation for it to be effective.
Furthermore, he stated that in the last four weeks 83% of the “risk universe” has been fumigated at least once.
Peña also indicated that Cuba remains under regional surveillance and in coordination with PAHO/WHO, with reporting obligations and access to epidemiological alerts; He mentioned alerts for chikungunya in recent years (including 2023 and the previous year) and comparative references with experiences such as that of Paraguay, as well as the adaptation of international protocols to the characteristics of the Cuban health system.
This Monday, nine minors remained in critical condition due to arbovirus -mainly chikungunya and dengue-, in a context marked by hospital collapse, shortage of supplies and the growing number of patients throughout the country.
Even so, Peña García insisted on an optimistic tone, describing the evolution of critical patients as “positive”, despite the fact that 71 people remained in serious or critical condition, including the nine reported minors under 18 years of age.
