Alerts in Cuba
There is an outbreak of chikungunya in Cuba. Mosquitoes transmit the virus that causes the disease. The CDC currently reports Alert Level 2, which recommends extended or enhanced precautions. You can protect yourself by preventing mosquito bites, which includes using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and staying in air-conditioned spaces or areas with screens on windows and doors. Inquire about vaccination options and availability. If you are pregnant, reconsider travel to the affected areas, particularly if you are close to delivering your baby. Mothers infected around the time of delivery can pass the virus to their baby before or during delivery. Newborns infected in this way or by a mosquito bite are at risk for severe illness, including poor long-term outcomes.
The Ministry of Public Health of Cuba confirmed the presence of cases of Oropouche fever, a viral disease transmitted by the midge _Culicoides paraensis_, that is present in the Americas Region, and by the _Culex quinquefasciatus_ mosquito, in the province of Santiago de Cuba. The official note indicated that after "actions for monitoring and surveillance of non-specific febrile syndromes in the province of Santiago de Cuba, the presence of Oropouche virus (OROV) was identified in 2 health areas of the municipalities of Santiago de Cuba (Ernesto Guevara) and Songo La Maya (Carlos J. Finlay), from samples tested in the Pedro Kourí Institute (IPK) reference laboratory." The Ministry of Health says that "all cases have progressed favorably with improvement of symptoms between the third and fourth day after the onset of the illness." The official source added that the clinical picture that manifests as a consequence of the disease is "mild, preceded by an incubation period of 5-7 days, characterized by fever, headaches, muscle and joint pain. Sometimes vomiting and diarrhea are also reported."
During the year 2022, a significant increase in the number of dengue cases and deaths was observed in the Americas region compared to previous years. This behavior has continued in the first weeks of 2023 and, in some countries, it has become even more pronounced, resulting in an overload in health services.
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