Working across all sectors to address the country’s epidemiological situation

Multiple actions are being taken in Cuba to respond to the current epidemic facing the country, marked by the simultaneous circulation of several viruses, primarily chikungunya and dengue, which have kept all levels of care within the National Health System active.

As part of the country’s leadership’s follow-up on this matter, on Wednesday afternoon, the President of the National Defense Council, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, held another meeting with experts, scientists, and researchers in the field of health. During the meeting, they examined various aspects that, from a scientific perspective, aim to reduce mosquito infestation rates, improve treatment protocols for arboviruses, and mitigate their effects on the population.

Lorena Vázquez Bello, First Deputy Director of the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK), emphasized the importance of understanding the disease for the attending physician at the patient’s bedside.

While it is true that this is not a new disease, she noted, and it first appeared in Cuba in 2014 with a small outbreak, its spread in recent months has prompted a greater number of clinical studies to expand knowledge about it.

As preliminary results of the evaluation conducted on 32 patients treated at the IPK with a diagnosis of chikungunya, Vázquez Bello explained that it has been determined that, although its clinical manifestations also appear in other diseases, the symptoms in the case of chikungunya differ in several aspects, such as fever.

According to her explanation, this symptom generally begins abruptly and is very high, and it is difficult to bring down with antipyretic treatment. It usually persists for about 72 hours, although it can sometimes last longer, often requiring hospitalization.

She also referred to arthralgia and arthritis, which are characteristic signs of the disease and are generally symmetrical and debilitating, with significant morning stiffness. These primarily affect the joints of the lower limbs, although the upper limbs are not excluded. Based on our study, she added, we have been able to confirm that this is the first symptom of the disease, even before the onset of fever.

Among the main complications in the patients evaluated at the IPK (Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine), the doctor mentioned dehydration; acute confusional state in the elderly; associated bacterial sepsis; heart failure and arrhythmia; neurological complications; and gastrointestinal bleeding.

She assured that the studies are ongoing with new patients, and the results will greatly contribute to strengthening treatment protocols and improving our ability to address the complications associated with the disease.

In addition to these actions, the meeting revealed that the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) has continued to advance the development of studies and interventions to further refine the Cuban Protocol for the Clinical and Epidemiological Management of Chikungunya, based on available information and new scientific evidence.

Ileana Morales Suárez, Director of Science and Technological Innovation at MINSAP, stated that, as part of the protocol, 26 studies have been approved related to product development; the implementation of clinical studies and trials; the execution of complex health interventions; and other research, the results of which are key to advancing the prevention, treatment, and care of patients.

Morales Suárez added that experts are focusing primarily on studies of chronicity, due to the joint pain that persists after the acute phase. To prevent and address these types of manifestations, health interventions will be carried out, among other actions, in the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly. He said that testing will begin in the coming days in several municipalities of Havana, targeting people over 75 years of age, and depending on resource availability, will be extended to other parts of the country.

Also as part of the meeting, which was attended by Political Bureau member and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, information was shared about different diagnostic tests for chikungunya in Cuba, as well as studies on the use of various products already available in the country. The safety and efficacy of these products still need to be demonstrated before they can be incorporated into the treatment protocol, as is the case with the well-known Jusvinza, used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Other products being developed rapidly were also discussed, including repellent and polyvitamins. Additionally, the industry is working on repairing mosquito sprayers to combat the mosquitoes that transmit these diseases.

These and other actions will continue to be monitored in order to counteract the current epidemiological scenario and strengthen the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of arboviruses, through medical care, epidemiology, science and the biopharmaceutical industry. (Source: RHC)