A severe bedbug infestation has been reported at the nursing home in the municipality of Manzanillo, located in the Granma province of Cuba. The situation has been publicly denounced by the families of the residents, who claim that the elderly have been suffering from this infestation for months, as noted by Facebook user Lucía Martínez Carrazana.
Despite notifying all relevant institutions in the municipality and province, including Public Health, the Government, the Party, and the Departments of Hygiene and Epidemiology, no effective action has been taken to resolve the issue, according to the complainant. Even the Provincial Department of Elderly Care is aware of the case but has yet to provide a solution.
The governor of Manzanillo has mentioned the need to relocate the elderly to another facility to allow for fumigation and maintenance of the home, which is in a state of severe disrepair. However, each week presents a new excuse, and the problem remains unresolved.
"The proliferation in the home affects all the beds and rooms... THERE ARE MILLIONS OF THESE BUGS... THEY ARE EATING THEM ALIVE," emphasized the social media user. Nevertheless, the director and the doctor of the nursing home have downplayed the situation, claiming that the bites do not pose a significant health risk to the patients.
However, bedbugs, known as "the silent killer," can transmit the T. cruzi parasite, which causes Chagas disease. This disease can remain in the human body for up to 97 days and cause heart, neurological, and digestive issues, potentially leading to sudden death.
Images provided show a bedridden patient with hundreds of bites on her thighs, knees, and legs, highlighting the severity of the infestation. The proliferation of bedbugs affects all the beds and rooms in the home, with millions of these insects present, according to the families of the residents.
The families of the elderly residents are urgently calling for immediate action to protect the approximately 165 elderly individuals residing in this home from the bedbug infestation.
In recent months, bedbug infestations have been reported in schools and healthcare facilities across various provinces in eastern Cuba, particularly in Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Holguín.
Addressing the Bedbug Infestation Crisis in Manzanillo
To provide more insight into the bedbug infestation crisis at the nursing home in Manzanillo, here are some questions and answers that may be useful for understanding the situation and its broader implications.
What actions have been taken so far to address the bedbug infestation?
Despite notifying all relevant institutions, including Public Health and the Government, no effective actions have been taken to resolve the issue. The governor has mentioned relocating the elderly for fumigation, but no steps have been implemented.
Why are bedbugs considered a significant health risk?
Bedbugs can transmit the T. cruzi parasite, which causes Chagas disease. This disease can lead to severe health issues, including heart, neurological, and digestive problems, and can potentially result in sudden death.
What are the living conditions like at the nursing home in Manzanillo?
The nursing home is in a state of severe disrepair, and the bedbug infestation affects all the beds and rooms. Residents are suffering from numerous bites, and the situation has been described as dire by family members.
Have similar infestations been reported elsewhere in Cuba?
Yes, bedbug infestations have also been reported in schools and healthcare facilities across various provinces in eastern Cuba, particularly in Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Holguín.