Emerging and re-emerging diseases: a look from the work of Dr. Juan Guiteras Gener

Abstract

The main aspects of Juan Guiteras Gener’s work in relation to Cuban health care and to the scientific advances of his times are described. The hygienic-epidemiological situation of those times and the main control activities carried out under his direction are presented. The historical-logical method was followed, based on documental review technique. Information and statistics of the main epidemics that occurred in Cuba in the period 1900-1925: smallpox, malaria, yellow fever, poliomyelitis, bubonic plague, 1918-1919 influenza, and tuberculosis were reviewed in documents of the Archivo Histórico Provincial José Jacinto Milanés [Provincial Historic Archive Jose Jacinto Milanes] and in scientific articles of the period. Those diseases were characterized by a high morbidity and mortality. The institutional answer toward epidemics was successful and timely, based on the resources and scientific advances then had: it allowed to eradicate yellow fever (1908), bubonic plague (1915), smallpox (1923) and decrease the morbidity and mortality of influenza, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, poliomyelitis and malaria. Doctor Guiteras made a decisive contribution in the control of epidemics and health in the Island, due to his high responsibilities in the field.