A 22-year-old student from Santiago de Cuba exhibiting symptoms of Oropouche fever passed away on Friday. Richard Daniel Nieves Chaveco, a resident of the II Frente municipality, was a fourth-year Geography Education student at the University of Oriente.
Friends of Nieves Chaveco informed independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada that he was admitted to Ambrosio Grillo Hospital earlier this week with symptoms of Oropouche fever and died after three days.
A neighbor recounted that Richard came home from school feeling unwell. His mother took him to the Mayarí Arriba Hospital, but the doctors sent him home, claiming he was fine.
"The next day, he felt worse, so they took him back to the hospital urgently. He was then transferred to Santiago, where he was immediately placed in intensive care. He was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia and, unfortunately, did not survive the next day," the neighbor told the reporter.
The University of Oriente shared a note on Facebook expressing sorrow over the young man's death and offering condolences to his family, friends, classmates, and professors, without mentioning the cause of death.
Journalist Mayeta Labrada called on university authorities to disclose the true cause of Nieves Chaveco's death. "I demand that the Ministry of Public Health of Santiago de Cuba, Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, secretary of the Communist Party; Manuel Falcón Hernández, provincial governor, and the Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology reveal the accurate number of deaths occurring in the province due to the emergence of Oropouche fever and dengue," he stated on Facebook.
Understanding Oropouche Fever and Its Impact in Santiago de Cuba
Given the recent tragic death of Richard Daniel Nieves Chaveco, many are seeking answers about Oropouche fever and its implications in Santiago de Cuba. Below are some frequently asked questions and their responses.
What is Oropouche fever?
Oropouche fever is a viral disease transmitted by insects, primarily midges, leading to symptoms such as fever, headache, and muscle pain.
How is Oropouche fever diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation and laboratory tests to detect the presence of the virus in the patient's blood.
What measures can be taken to prevent Oropouche fever?
Preventive measures include avoiding areas with high insect activity, using insect repellent, and ensuring proper sanitation to reduce breeding sites for midges.