In Cuba, the death toll from arbovirus infections has reached 47 following the recent report of three additional fatalities: one due to dengue and two attributed to chikungunya.
This update was shared on Friday during the television program Buenos Días, with Carilda Peña García, the Deputy Minister of Public Health, making an appearance.
According to the report, the National Health System identified 1,417 new chikungunya cases, with 38 confirmed, while the suspected dengue cases incidence rate increased to 12.5%, surpassing the previous day's figure.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted a reduction in the number of severe and critical patients in intensive care. The day's closure recorded 53 individuals in these categories, a decrease of two compared to the last report.
However, she emphasized that the majority of those categorized as severe or critical are under 18 years old.
In her address, Peña García stressed the importance of self-care and advised against keeping a sick child at home, including newborns and young children, as expert analyses in Cuba and internationally show that children are "highly vulnerable" to severe forms of these diseases.
Chikungunya, transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, has increasingly left patients in Cuba suffering from chronic pain.
In Santiago de Cuba alone, children and teenagers make up approximately 65% of the severe arbovirus cases hospitalized, amid the concurrent spread of dengue and chikungunya and significant health risks.
The eastern province's epidemiological situation has put health authorities on high alert, especially impacting the youth in a scenario described as a syndemic due to the simultaneous presence of dengue and chikungunya.
Out of 101 individuals hospitalized for arboviruses, 66 are pediatric patients who required intensive care, amounting to nearly two-thirds of severe cases treated, as reported by the official newspaper Sierra Maestra.
Sector leaders note that the most affected demographics continue to be the elderly and children, including newborns, who have experienced sequelae such as encephalitis and skin complications.
Over the past week, four critical cases and three severe cases were reported in individuals under 19, in addition to a pregnant woman facing associated complications.
Health officials acknowledged that deaths have occurred, primarily due to complications arising from arboviral infections rather than the virus itself, without providing specific numbers. They emphasized the critical role of early medical intervention in preventing fatal outcomes.
Understanding the Chikungunya and Dengue Crisis in Cuba
What are the main diseases affecting Cuba currently?
Cuba is currently facing a health crisis with chikungunya and dengue being the primary diseases affecting the population.
Who are the most vulnerable groups in this health crisis?
Children under 18 years old and the elderly, including newborns, are the most vulnerable groups during this health crisis.
How are the authorities responding to the arbovirus situation?
Health authorities are on high alert, emphasizing early medical attention and self-care measures to prevent severe outcomes.