Miguel Díaz-Canel, the Cuban leader, declared on Tuesday that the nation will overcome the epidemic through "intelligence."
This statement was made during a meeting of the National Defense Council with health experts and scientists, as reported by the state media.
"Focus on combating arboviruses with intelligence and effectiveness," urged Díaz-Canel.
At the gathering, it was revealed that 7,713 new cases have been reported this week, with 7,576 suspected cases and 137 confirmed, according to Carilda Peña, the Deputy Minister of Health.
By the end of last week, official figures showed a total of 32,627 cases of chikungunya in Cuba.
Meanwhile, Dr. Raúl Guinovart Díaz, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computing at the University of Havana, predicted that the rising trend will continue over the coming weeks.
"We are currently experiencing a peak in the epidemic and an increase in arboviruses, necessitating enhanced vector control measures wherever feasible," he stated.
Tania Roig, head of the national Neonatology group, warned about the disease's severity in children under three years old, where mortality can reach 10%, with 20% suffering mainly neurological sequelae.
More than 100 individuals are in intensive care due to chikungunya and dengue in Cuba, the majority being children. The country's health crisis is exacerbated by scarce resources and inadequate vector control, leading to a surge in infections.
Over one hundred people are receiving intensive care in Cuba due to complications from chikungunya and dengue, with most severe cases being children under 18.
Dr. Carilda Peña García, Deputy Minister of Public Health, admitted on Tuesday during the Buenos Días program that health authorities still lack precise data on the number of arbovirus cases on the island. "We hope to have more accurate figures by the end of this week," she stated.
On Monday, 3,421 individuals were reported with non-specific febrile syndrome, and 90% of them (3,088) remain hospitalized, mostly at home.
A total of 105 patients are in intensive care, with 84 in critical condition and 70 of these being minors under 18.
Dr. Peña referred to these cases as young children or infants, without specifying their exact ages. She highlighted the high vulnerability of the youngest to viruses transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Dengue infections continue to rise, with a significant increase in Pinar del Río, where 105 new cases have been diagnosed. Other provinces also report cases, though precise figures are unavailable.
Regarding chikungunya, the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) reported a total of 34,824 cases in Cuba, of which 33,796 are suspected, and 1,028 have been confirmed through PCR testing.
On Monday, 934 new infections were recorded, but only 78 were confirmed by the laboratory.
Chikungunya transmission is reported in 14 provinces and 100 municipalities across Cuba. Although Matanzas was the starting point of the epidemic, authorities claim the situation there has improved.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged that the fumigation plan and focal control were not achieved, primarily due to a lack of workforce in provinces like Havana and Camagüey. "If we do not eliminate the mosquito, controlling the epidemic will be very difficult," she warned.
The health crisis worsens amid a shortage of medical resources, failures in sanitation programs, and the increasing spread of the vector mosquito in several provinces, keeping Cuba under an active chikungunya and dengue epidemic.
Understanding the Chikungunya and Dengue Crisis in Cuba
What measures are being taken to combat the chikungunya and dengue epidemic in Cuba?
The Cuban government is focusing on enhancing vector control measures and improving the effectiveness of these strategies to combat the arbovirus epidemic. However, challenges like workforce shortages and resource scarcity hinder these efforts.
Why are children particularly vulnerable to these diseases in Cuba?
Children, especially those under three years old, are highly susceptible to chikungunya and dengue due to their developing immune systems. The mortality rate in young children can reach 10%, with lasting neurological effects in 20% of cases.
How widespread is the chikungunya transmission in Cuba?
Chikungunya is widespread across 14 provinces and 100 municipalities in Cuba. Despite initial outbreaks in Matanzas, authorities report improvements in some areas, although the epidemic remains active.