Cuba Insists that Cholera Won’t Spread

51 confirmed cases in the capital

HAVANA TIMES – The Ministry of Public Health of Cuba informed on Tuesday the existence of cholera cases in different municipalities of the capital but emphasized that the situation is under control.

The blame for the outbreak was placed on a food vendor, an asymptomatic carrier of the disease, who contracted it previously during an outbreak in another province.

The Ministry stressed that with the prevention measures already introduced the disease “is in its phase of extinction.”

The following is a translation of the press release published today in the official media.

INFORMATIVE NOTE TO THE PUBLIC

The Ministry of Health reports that as of Sunday January 6 the clinical epidemiological surveillance system detected an increase in diarrheal diseases in Cerro municipality and later in other municipalities in the capital city. A group of these patients had symptoms and signs that etiologically led to suspect cholera, leading to activation of the measures envisaged in the anti-cholera plan, for which we have all the necessary means and resources.

Microbiological analysis conducted by the “Pedro Kouri” Institute of Tropical Medicine, determined that the causative agent is Vibrio cholerae O1 Tor enterotoxigenic serotype Ogawa, and that to date there are 51 confirmed cases.

According to epidemiological assessments conducted the transmission was generated by a food dispenser, asymptomatic carrier of the disease, acquired during outbreaks previously reported in other regions of the country.

As a result of the actions taken the transmission is in the extinction phase. This was made possible, above all, by the permanent vigilance and responsiveness of our health system.

We repeat the need for increased hygiene measures, especially those related to handwashing, the drinking of chlorinated water, proper washing and cooking of food, as essential aspects in health care.

Ministry of Public Health of Cuba