Cuba Readies for Second Wave of Influenza A H1N1 Virus

Estruch was speaking during a working session of the Health Commission of the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO) that is taking place at the Hotel Nacional in Havana with the presence of legislators from the area who praised Cuba’s strategies to fight the pandemic, which could be very useful in several countries of the region where the virus has killed 3,020 people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Cuban official explained that the arrival of the fall and the winter, even earlier this year due to climate changes, would be a big challenge for governments and he added that a significant increase in the number of people infected is expected if urgent prevention and diagnosis measures are not adopted immediately.

Estruch pointed out that even in the United States, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, has requested the support of retired doctors to face the pandemic.

The official recalled that pregnant women and children under five years of age are the most vulnerable groups and stressed the importance of implementing preventive measures in daycare centers, schools, work places and in the neighborhood.

The Cuban Deputy Health Minister noted that anyone with symptoms such as high fever, sore throat, persistent cough, diarrhea and sickness should immediately go to a policlinic or a family doctor’s clinic.

and other nations, Estruch recalled that the existing vaccine against the virus is very expensive – 10 to 20 dollars per dose – and that low-income people can not afford it.