Sancti Spíritus has experienced a surge in severe dengue cases among pediatric patients (ages zero to 18) over the past two weeks, amid a highly complex epidemiological scenario. The official newspaper Escambray reports that children are arriving at the hospital with alarming signs: high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal pain, or gum bleeding, requiring intensive care.
The province has been declared in a phase of disease transmission due to the increase in diagnosed cases over the last week.
Rising Dengue Incidence
"The territory, along with Las Tunas and Ciego de Ávila, showed an increase in the number of dengue cases, consequently raising the incidence rate from 5 to 15.5 per 100,000 inhabitants," the report details. Statistics for both dengue and Oropouche have spiked.
Dengue transmission has been confirmed in an area of the Cabaiguán municipality, while La Sierpe and Fomento show values above the provincial average. Regarding Oropouche, these municipalities display similar behavior to dengue, with Sancti Spíritus and Taguasco also showing high presence of the disease.
Although specialists note that both ailments exhibit similar symptoms and advise seeking medical attention immediately when fever occurs, Escambray admits that many Cubans prefer to endure the infection at home.
In typical fashion, the official press adopts a critical stance toward the population, rather than addressing the unsanitary conditions and lack of medications and supplies plaguing hospitals in the country.
"Numerous cases have been recorded of individuals bedridden for up to six days with extremely high fevers, without seeking any medical institution. Many have reached the brink of death, and others suffer significant aftereffects," the report reveals.