Havana, May 17 (RHC) -- Cuban authorities are stepping up surveillance measures in the event of a possible arrival on the island of acute childhood hepatitis of unknown origin, the head of the National Pediatrics Group of the Ministry of Public Health, Lissette Lopez, said.

According to the expert's statements, the island has a system for dealing with epidemiological events with tools designed to face these situations.

The expert recommended being alert to the appearance of light-colored stools, dark urine, or jaundice and advised to go to a health care center if there is a suspicion of the disease, to keep washing hands frequently, and not to self-medicate.

Although to date Cuba does not report any suspected cases of the disease, laboratory tests are carried out daily at the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine to detect any possible infection.