The chikungunya virus has reached the category of epidemic, so the population must clean up their homes and surroundings, with the aim of keeping the disease under control. Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) representative Lilian Reneau-Vernon says that the health authorities are acting properly, and that it is up to citizens and state institutions, as well as the local authorities to join forces to maintain the hygiene practices aimed at controlling the spread of the virus. She told Diario Libre reporters that there is no need to be alarmed, but that it was essential to learn about the disease in order to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Chikungunya is caused by the bite of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the same one that transmits dengue fever, and its symptoms include fever, pain in the joints and skin eruptions. It is rarely serious. According to Reneau-Vernon, education is the only way to halt the progress of the disease, which first appeared in the country in January after dozens of cases were reported in several Caribbean islands. Meanwhile, after visiting the public hospital in Haina, where the viral infection is affecting a large number of people, Public Health Minister Freddy Hidalgo said that in order to prevent this disease as well as dengue, citizens must take on the elimination of the mosquito breeding grounds as part of the culture.