The National Director of Epidemiology at the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), Dr. Francisco Durán García, says that the island has the proper surveillance mechanism to reduce the risk of infection with coronavirus.

Speaking with the media in Havana on Monday, the specialist confirmed that from the first reports of the disease, authorities activated protection mechanisms, strengthening protection at international airports, ports, and marinas.

"The same group that always deals with arbovirosis studied, designed and implemented a set of measures," he said.

The health official added that  "insularity is an advantage for Cuba because the cases would enter through airports and ports where measures are taken to prevent the introduction of the virus."

Duran noted that those facilities in the national territory are governed by international health regulations, of which the protocol for action developed during the Ebola epidemic in 2015 is an example.

At all entry points to the country, qualified personnel is able to detect signs of alarm, and temperature scanners are also in operation. 

Transmission of the coronavirus occurs from person to person and not from contact with animals. 

"Respiratory diseases are usually transmitted through saliva drops when people talk nearby, sneeze or cough or touch a place that is infected," Duran recalled.