First Case of Oropouche Fever Confirmed in Cuba, Warns Epidemiologist Francisco Durán

Francisco Durán García, the national director of Epidemiology at the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) in Cuba, has raised an alarm about the first confirmed presence of the Oropouche virus in the country. Durán emphasized that while the clinical picture is not severe, it should not be taken lightly.

The initial cases of the disease were diagnosed in the province of Santiago de Cuba. However, recent hours have seen new cases confirmed in Cienfuegos, specifically in Aguada de Pasajeros, Cumanayagua, and Abreus. The disease has an incubation period of five to seven days during which transmission can occur, even if symptoms are not yet present.

In contrast to dengue and other diseases transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, Oropouche fever is spread by the biting midge Culicoides paraensis—prevalent in the Americas—and also by the Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito. Durán García clarified that the species Culicoides paraensis has not been detected in Cuba, but the Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito, which breeds in any type of water, including sewage and contaminated water, is present.

"The worst part is that it breeds in any puddle of water, even in sewage water, in accumulations of any type of water. Its control requires a lot of popular participation," the specialist noted.

"It exists in all provinces, in all municipalities, in all regions. It is the mosquito that primarily bothers us at night," Durán García said about the Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito.

On a slightly more positive note, the epidemiologist pointed out that the clinical picture lasts around four days and usually does not result in severe cases. The symptoms first manifest as fever, headaches, joint pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. He reminded the public that other more serious diseases like dengue and respiratory viruses can produce similar symptoms, so any suspicion should lead to a medical consultation.

"The healthcare personnel are prepared and are the ones to determine the course of action in these cases," he stated.

"We cannot downplay its importance. At this moment in Cuba, there is dengue, which often tends to produce severe and critical cases. The most important message is that if you have these symptoms, you must see a doctor," he insisted.

"Let the doctor determine whether it is Oropouche, dengue, or influenza," he stressed.

Durán mentioned that once the disease is diagnosed, the treatment is mainly symptomatic as it is a viral infection. "There is a work team conducting interventions to combat the vectors, from a community participation perspective, a clinical perspective, and through screenings," the specialist highlighted, urging people to stay alert and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms appear.

The virus, which has circulated in many countries in the region, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, had never been detected in Cuba before.