Health authorities issue warning after arbovirus outbreak in Holguín

The hurricane Melissa’s passage over Holguín left the environmental conditions deteriorated and the epidemiological situation worsened. Many people are experiencing joint pain, fever, loss of appetite, restricted mobility, and general discomfort. The “virus” is present in several areas of the locality, increasing concerns for health authorities.

Geanela Cruz Ávila, director of the Holguín Provincial Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology, reported an increase in treatments for specific febrile syndrome over the past month. This rise, combined with the high density of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, raises the risk of arbovirosis transmission in the province.

Arboviruses are viral diseases transmitted by arthropods, mainly mosquitoes. In Cuba, the most common ones are dengue, chikungunya, and oropuche, according to Infomed Holguín. PCR surveillance in suspected cases has confirmed the circulation of dengue and chikungunya in Holguín.

Dengue presents four serotypes (DEN 1–DEN 4). Symptoms typically appear 3 to 14 days after the bite and include high fever, severe headache, eye pain, among others. Chikungunya usually manifests 2 to 12 days after the bite, with sudden fever and severe joint pain that can be disabling and last for months or years.

To control the situation, the post-hurricane arboviriosis response strategy was presented and approved by the Provincial Defense Council. It includes opening transmission in four municipalities with higher risk: Holguín, Cacocum, Urbano Noris, and Cueto, where most cases and care are concentrated.

The intervention covers nine components emphasizing intersectorality and community action. These include surveillance, organization of medical care, environmental sanitation, and health communication.

Additional actions involve community surveys, home and hospital care for patients with arboviral symptoms, monitoring warning signs, entomological-epidemiological analysis of areas, adulticidal treatment both indoors and outdoors, and focal treatment to destroy breeding sites in homes and other facilities to stop mosquitoes, especially in the larval stage.

Community participation is vital in the fight against these transmissible diseases. It is essential to keep water containers covered, eliminate risks, and maintain a clean environment to prevent the female mosquito, which tends to stay near homes, from finding breeding grounds.