Cuba Faces Mounting health Crisis as Dengue,Oropouche,and Chikungunya Spread
Cuba is grappling with a significant epidemiological crisis,marked by a surge in multiple infectious diseases including dengue,Oropouche,and chikungunya. While official acknowledgement has been limited, the situation is causing widespread concern and hardship across the island.
The havana authorities recently confirmed three deaths attributed to dengue, offering few details about the cases. Vice Minister of Public Health, Carilda Peña García, stated that nine respiratory viruses are currently circulating in Cuba, alongside increases in acute diarrheal diseases and hepatitis A. Tho, no complete data regarding the scale of these outbreaks was provided.
Citizen reports paint a more alarming picture. Individuals are increasingly voicing their concerns about the deteriorating health situation, with one Matanzas artist, Sindy San Miguel Fariñas, describing debilitating symptoms on social media.
Official data indicates that dengue and Oropouche are present in at least 12 provinces, while chikungunya has been detected in approximately eight. authorities attribute the rise in cases to the typical increase in mosquito populations during the hot and rainy season. However,many Cubans believe the crisis is rooted in systemic issues,including prolonged power outages,water scarcity affecting hygiene,and widespread accumulation of garbage. In Havana alone, over 30,000 cubic meters of garbage accumulate daily, with more than 40% of collection trucks out of service last year and a growing shortage of workers in the responsible state company, Comunales.
Contributing to the problem are reported shortages of fuel for mosquito fumigation, a lack of diagnostic investigations, and persistent water leaks creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Critically, laboratories are facing a 70% shortage of reagents, hindering accurate diagnoses and leaving many patients unaware of the specific virus they are battling. A widespread medicine shortage, estimated at 70%, further complicates treatment, leaving symptoms largely unaddressed.
Despite the escalating crisis and reports of overwhelmed hospitals, particularly in Matanzas, the Minister of Public Health maintains that “the situation is under control,” and assures the public that efforts are underway to save lives. In response to the shortages and overwhelmed healthcare system,Cubans are increasingly relying on aid from those in exile to help alleviate the crisis.
