• Submitted by: lena campos
• Health and Medicine
• 08 / 17 / 2012

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The Cuban Public Health Ministry (MINSAP) called on Wednesday for the people's support to eradicate the proliferation of the Aedes aegypti mosquito during the summer months, when vector-associated diseases are on the increase.

  In remarks to local television, MINSAP National Vector Control Director Juan Ramon Vazquez stated that people's perception of risk is low, while there has been a marked increase in mosquito infestation levels in 23 municipalities this summer.

According to the expert, Cuba has a security and vector control system higher than that of many nations, thanks to a trained army of activists and the acquisition of resources to face the problem, but individual efforts in the task are essential.

Heat, humidity and abundant rain create the ideal breeding ground for the proliferation of the mosquito, which transmits dangerous diseases such as dengue and yellow fever, he said.

According to the report, about 98 municipalities of the country have confirmed outbreaks of the mosquito. In 75 of them, infestation rates have not reached the level of disease transmission. The most critical situation was found in the capital's 15 municipalities and the main cities of Pinar del Rio, Camagüey, Las Tunas, Guantanamo, Santiago de Cuba, Santa Clara, Bayamo and the Isle of Youth.

Source: Prensa Latina