Yenys Fernández Pupo, a Cuban resident of Holguín, has raised a desperate alarm about the dire sanitary conditions in her community, urging the authorities to address an issue that is endangering the health of local residents. Through a Facebook post, Fernández Pupo expressed her concerns about the presence of sick individuals in her area.
"I have personally been ill for a month and have visited the Holguín Clinical Surgical Hospital twice. They only conducted tests without performing any additional examinations to diagnose the new virus that is spreading," stated Fernández Pupo, referring to the Oropouche virus that has been increasingly affecting various parts of Cuba.
Alongside her complaint, Fernández Pupo shared photos of her living environment, highlighting that "no provincial leader seems to care. If it weren't for the sick neighbors who cleaned everything yesterday, the mosquitoes would still be thriving."
Oropouche Virus Spreading Across Cuba
In early July, the Cuban regime reported that the Oropouche virus has spread to 12 provinces and admitted a lack of resources to start fumigation campaigns to prevent the mosquito's propagation. The National Director of Epidemiology at the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), Francisco Durán, confirmed on national television that the virus is predominantly found in rural and semi-rural areas, with symptoms similar to dengue.
"The virus initially appeared in Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos, but it has now reached Matanzas, Mayabeque, Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, Holguín, Guantánamo, Artemisa, Camagüey, and Granma," Durán stated.
The situation is exacerbated by numerous water leaks, garbage dumps, and natural breeding grounds for mosquitoes, making it challenging to control the vector.
Understanding the Oropouche Virus in Cuba
To provide further insights into the ongoing health crisis, here are some frequently asked questions about the Oropouche virus and its impact on Cuba.
What is the Oropouche virus?
The Oropouche virus is an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes. It causes symptoms similar to dengue, including fever, headache, and muscle pain.
Which areas in Cuba are most affected by the Oropouche virus?
The virus has spread to 12 provinces, including Santiago de Cuba, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Mayabeque, Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, Holguín, Guantánamo, Artemisa, Camagüey, and Granma.
What measures are being taken to control the spread of the Oropouche virus?
Currently, there are limited resources for fumigation campaigns. Efforts are focused on community cleaning and reducing mosquito breeding grounds.