Procedures manual for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in dealing with COVID-19

Disinfection is one of the important methods for preventing and controlling of COVID 19. For this reason this “Manual of procedures for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces” is proposed, aimed at systematizing actions in homes, equipment, transport , roads and places of public access in the urban environment to guarantee adequate levels of protection for the population´s health

Sistema integrado de vigilância e gestão de florações de algas nocivas na província de Cienfuegos, Cuba

Las floraciones algales nocivas pueden tener consecuencias negativas en la salud, economía y diversidad biológica de los ecosistemas marinos. En la provincia de Cienfuegos, ubicada al centro-sur de Cuba, han ocurrido diferentes eventos de estas floraciones en su bahía de igual nombre, con impactos negativos en la salud pública y la economía del país, así como para la localidad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue diseñar e implementar un sistema de vigilancia y gestión de esos eventos para la provincia de Cienfuegos, con vistas a disponer de mecanismos de acción intersectorial bien definidos, ante la aparición de tales microrganismos, basado en los principios del Manejo Integrado de Zonas Costeras. Durante el año 2021, se constató científicamente eventos de floraciones de las algas aludidas, por lo que se desarrolló un taller para el diseño y la propuesta de dicho sistema, utilizando el criterio de especialistas claves en la gestión de los eventos mencionados en el territorio. El sistema de vigilancia y gestión tuvo como principal característica garantizar la integración de los sectores relacionados con la problemática en la provincia. Este sistema fue dividido en cinco etapas: vigilancia, comunicación, activación del sistema, gestión directa y evaluación de impactos. En octubre de 2021, se logró implementarlo con resultados satisfactorios, tras la ocurrencia de una floración del dinoflagelado Vulcanodinium rugosum. Su puesta en práctica contribuyó a mitigar los impactos de las floraciones algales nocivas en diferentes sectores de desarrollo en la provincia de Cienfuegos.Harmful algal blooms can have negative consequences on the health, economy, and biological diversity of marine ecosystems. In the province of Cienfuegos, located in south-central Cuba, different bloom events have occurred in the bay of the same name, with a negative impact on the health and economy of the locality, as well as of the country. The objective of this research project was to design and implement a surveillance and management system of these events in the province of Cienfuegos, with the purpose of having well-defined intersectoral action mechanisms for the occurrence of these microorganisms, based on the principles of Integrated Management of Coastal Zones. During 2021, bloom events of these algae were scientifically confirmed; consequently, a workshop was developed for the design and proposal of this system, using the criteria of key specialists in the management of these events in the territory. The main characteristic of the monitoring and management system was to guarantee the integration of the sectors in the province related to this problem. This system was divided into five stages: surveillance, communication, system activation, direct management, and impact assessment. In October 2021, the system was implemented with satisfactory results after a bloom of the dinoflagellate Vulcanodinium rugosum. The implementation of this system contributed to mitigate the impacts of harmful algal blooms in different development sectors in the province of Cienfuegos.As florações de algas nocivas podem ter consequências negativas na saúde, economia e biodiversidade dos ecossistemas marinhos. Na província de Cienfuegos, localizada no centro-sul de Cuba, diferentes eventos dessas florações ocorreram em sua baía de mesmo nome, com impactos negativos na saúde pública e na economia do país, bem como para a localidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenhar e implementar um sistema de vigilância e gestão desses eventos para a província de Cienfuegos, com vistas a ter mecanismos de ação intersetorial bem definidos, diante do surgimento de tais microrganismos, com base nos princípios da Gestão Integrada da Zona Costeira. Durante o ano de 2021, os eventos de florações de algas referidas foram cientificamente verificados, portanto, foi desenvolvido um workshop para o desenho e a proposta do citado sistema, utilizando os critérios de especialistas-chave na gestão dos eventos mencionados no território. A principal característica do sistema de monitoramento e gestão foi garantir a integração dos setores relacionados ao problema na província. Esse sistema foi dividido em cinco etapas: vigilância, comunicação, ativação do sistema, gestão direta e avaliação de impacto. Em outubro de 2021, foi possível implantá-lo com resultados satisfatórios, após a ocorrência de floração do dinoflagelado Vulcanodinium rugosum. Sua aplicação contribuiu para mitigar os impactos das florações de algas nocivas em diferentes setores de desenvolvimento na província de Cienfuegos

Summer bloom of Vulcanodinium rugosum in Cienfuegos Bay (Cuba) associated to dermatitis in swimmers

The marine dinoflagellate Vulcanodinium rugosum produces powerful paralyzing and cytotoxic compounds named pinnatoxins (PnTX) and portimines. Even though, no related human intoxication episodes following direct exposure in seawater or the ingestion of contaminated seafood have been documented so far. This study aimed at investigating a dinoflagellate bloom linked to acute dermatitis cases in two recreational beaches in Cienfuegos Bay, Cuba. We used epidemiological and clinical data from 60 dermatitis cases consisting of individuals in close contact with the bloom. Seawater physical-chemical properties were described, and the microorganism causing the bloom was identified by means of light and scanning electron microscopy. Morphological identification was confirmed genetically by sequencing the internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and ITS2, and the 5.8S rDNA region. Toxic compounds were identified from a bloom extract using liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), and their concentrations were estimated based on low-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Sixty people who had prolonged contact with the dinoflagellate bloom suffered acute dermal irritation. Most patients (79.2%) were children and had to be treated with antibiotics; some required >5-day hospitalization. Combined morphological and genetic characters indicated V. rugosum as the causative agent of the bloom. rDNA sequences of the V. rugosum genotype found in the bloom aligned with others from Asia, including material found in the ballast tank of a ship in Florida. The predominant toxins in the bloom were portimine, PnTX-F and PnTX-E, similar to strains originating from the Pacific Ocean. This bloom was associated with unusual weather conditions such as frequent and prolonged droughts. Our findings indicate a close link between the V. rugosum bloom and a dermatitis outbreak among swimmers in Cienfuegos Bay. Phylogenetic evidence suggests a recent introduction of V. rugosum from the Pacific Ocean into Caribbean waters, possibly via ballast water