Working in solidarity: The student anti-dengue campaign of 2012

Abstract

The student Anti-Dengue Campaign (Dengue Pesquizaje) of 2012 in Havana, Cuba took place over a 10-week period when classes at the Latin American School of Medicine were suspended starting in January. Students were assigned to designated areas of Havana and oriented to go door-to-door, educating Cubans on the signs and symptoms of dengue and measures of preventing disease transmission. Dengue is a serious illness that can manifest with classic symptoms such as fever, headache, rash, retro-orbital pain, myalgias, and arthralgias or it can lead to hemorrhagic dengue and shock. Incidence over the years has increased due to the introduction of new serotypes, mobility, urbanization and population growth. The Anti-Dengue Campaign encouraged students to work in solidarity with the community and practice the basic principles of primary care, providing them with a special skill set to understanding disease control and epidemiology.