Health: To remain vigilant and preventive

“This is the century in which diseases transmitted from animals to humans may become predominant in a context influenced by climate change”. Dr. Yanelis Calviño Vega highlights that these types of diseases may become predominant in the current century, making constant surveillance and timely public guidance essential.

 The specialist referes to a recent hantavirus outbreak linked to passengers the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, which began its voyage on April 1st in Ushuaia, Argentina, with 147 people on board.

Hantavirus is a potentially severe viral disease that can cause respiratory failure and hemorrhagic symptoms. It mainly appears in two clinical forms: cardiopulmonary syndrome and hemorrhagic syndrome with renal involvement, depending on the viral strain.

This virus belongs to the Hantaviridae family and is carried by small wild rodents, which act as asymptomatic natural reservoirs. Transmission mainly occurs through inhalation of particles contaminated with the animals’ droppings, urine, or saliva

Calviño Vega noted that, in the face of events of this nature, Cuba’s Ministry of Public Health maintains close vigilance regarding unfolding developments, specifically within the country, through the surveillance departments in each territory and via its designated liaison center.

“All these measures are implemented in response to timely alerts transmitted by the World Health Organization (WHO) to its member states, as well as the recommended actions. Consequently, our country’s surveillance channels are activated, and we remain attentive to information provided by that international body and by the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap). We will always exercise great caution regarding current events and will issue any necessary guidance to the population,” she explained.

Nevertheless, it is necessary to reiterate the measures to be observed in the event of rodent proliferation; these include: avoiding contact with areas infested by these harmful animals; wearing high-efficiency face masks when cleaning enclosed spaces or storage areas; removing accumulations of objects that could serve as rodent shelters; and storing food in airtight containers kept off the ground.

Health authorities, following WHO guidelines, maintain active surveillance and recommend preventive measures such as avoiding rodent-infested areas, using protective equipment when cleaning enclosed spaces, and properly storing food. Although the general risk is low and travel restrictions are not advised, epidemiological monitoring of the outbreak continues.