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FROM
CUBA
More than 20 cases of dengue fever found
in Havana
HAVANA, Cuba - May 20 (Walter Amanda,
UPECI / www.cubanet.org) - Health authorities
in Havana have placed hundreds of warning
signs in the fashionable Plaza district
of the city asking people who develop a
fever to seek medical help after admitting
over 20 cases of dengue fever to area hospitals.
"Active search for feverish patients,"
said the signs, going on to warn citizens
that anyone with a fever, even if asymptomatic
for dengue, should contact the nearest medical
dispensary.
Dengue is a contagious, viral ailment transmitted
by mosquitoes. It causes a fever, strong
pain in the joints, and in the case of hemorragic
dengue, even death.
The last substantial outbreak of dengue
in Cuba dates back to 1981, with smaller
outbreaks since, the latest in 2001. At
that time, the government concealed the
number of deaths attributable to the epidemic,
but it did initiate a campaign to eradicate
the mosquitoes and their breeding areas.
Versión
original en español
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