Cuba is working on vaccine to combat dengue fever

The Cuban biopharmaceutical industry is working on the development of projects for vaccines, diagnostic tools, and medicines aimed at directly combating dengue,  a current epidemiological threat on the island.

In statements to Granma newspaper,  Dr. Eduardo Martínez Díaz, President of BioCubaFarma, informed that several projects related to this disease had been underway for some time, which have been accelerated as a result of a recent request made by the President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.

He said the industry has a diagnostic system based on sum technology (Ultra Micro Analytical System) for detecting dengue. And now, they are working on creating new diagnostic procedures with more significant advantages in speed.

It also has projects for developing vaccines and specific antivirals against dengue, together with the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK).

In the case of vaccines, he pointed out that, since there are four serotypes, they must protect against all of them, which makes it somewhat challenging to develop an effective immunogen. However, they are currently working on several lines and strategies for developing vaccines.

For BioCubaFarma, the Immunoassay Center is in charge of the diagnostic system. At the same time, the vaccines are being researched by the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, with the Pedro Kouri Institute IPK.

Diaz-Canel added that the Cuban blackouts are perhaps the most famous because of all the propaganda against the island. Still, in the world, there is an energy crisis with an increase in electricity rates due to the rise in oil prices.

He also pointed out that the current power generation situation in the country is the result of the impact of the U.S. blockade, gaps in the distribution of fuel due to low availability, and the occurrence of two accidents that have taken out more than 400 megawatts of generation.

The Cuban President was speaking during a debate taking place in Parliament to assess the results of the Ministry of Energy and Mines during the year 2021.