There is no vaccine against dengue fever, but it is possible to prevent it. However, its transmitting agent, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, prowls at will in communities of Las Tunas; while the number of patients increases and the epidemiological panorama becomes more complex.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- The limitations with the resources hinder the actions of the workers of the Anti-Vector Campaign, for which the efforts are concentrated in the places of most significant risk. However, confronting the vector requires a collective effort, and the main action scenarios continue to be homes and their surroundings.
“We are facing a very difficult situation, with a marked increase of cases in six of the eight municipalities: ‘Jesús Menéndez,’ Puerto Padre, Las Tunas, ‘Amancio,’ Manatí and Majibacoa. These territories are also the ones with the highest rate of vector infestation, mainly in the health areas of the provincial capital; at the Romárico Oro, in Puerto Padre; and in Manatí,” José Ángel Martínez Rodríguez, in charge of the vice directorate of vectors, reported
“In the most affected places, we take intensive actions and request community participation. Today, we do not have enough resources to deal with this epidemiological panorama, so we must rationalize them and manage to involve the population in the transformation of risks.”
90 percent of the vector's foci, the specialist said, are located inside the houses and their surroundings. “If everyone would do their part, the result would be very positive, regardless of resource constraints. Despite the calls, there is still no unanimous response in the communities and we need the leading role of the mass organizations.”
In July, August, and September, a rise in infestation rates is always reported, and right now the province is going through a peak, also in dengue cases. “We have had patients with complications because they do not go to the doctor promptly. The first thing, after the appearance of symptoms, is to seek assistance,” he emphasized.
According to specialists, dengue has an incubation period between four and 10 days, and its clinical is divided into three phases: febrile (first to the fifth day), critical (fifth to seventh), and recovery (from the seventh day).
Currently, the four serotypes of the disease are circulating in the country. “The danger of complications for a person who gets sick twice is greater; hence the importance of going immediately when symptoms appear.”
The work of the Health sector, in addition to care, is aimed at increasing health audiences and education to increase the perception of risk. "The purpose is to mobilize people to avoid arboviruses," he said.
“There are three elements that have characterized the work of the Anti-Vector Control Campaign: discover the foci of Aedes aegypti, destroy them, and prevent their proliferation. In the latter (prevention), the contribution of the population is essential, since it is up to everyone to maintain hygienic patios and environments, collect all the containers that can store water, cover the tanks…” With joint effort, Martínez Rodríguez believes, the province will overcome this situation that today threatens the peace and health of the families.
