It was an almost certain suspicion, but laboratory tests have corroborated it. In the Avilean municipality of Chambas, the circulation of the oropouche fever virus has been officially confirmed, according to Damaris Ferrón Hernández, the territory’s director of hygiene and epidemiology.

She explained that the two samples sent to the «Pedro Kourí» Institute of Tropical Medicine showed positive results for this disease, thus confirming the presence of the illness.

Ferrón Hernández stressed that there is also the possibility of dengue infection, another virus that manifests itself during this time of the year. The municipal director of hygiene and epidemiology reiterated: «in order to confront the current epidemiological situation, where two viruses are circulating, it is important that the patient goes to the family doctor’s office as soon as symptoms begin to appear».

At another point the doctor argued: «it is very important that everyone in their homes or workplaces do their part, such as checking the yard every 7 days and destroying everything that could serve as possible breeding grounds for the vector.» (By Yaimer Mujica Pérez)