Cuba Faces dengue adn Chikungunya Epidemic as Cases Surge
Havana, Cuba - November 22, 2025 - Cuba is battling a growing epidemic of dengue and chikungunya, with teh Ministry of Health (Minsap) reporting 6,597 new patients presenting with non-specific fever on Thursday alone.This figure includes 847 confirmed or suspected dengue cases and 753 chikungunya cases.
According to Francisco Durán, director of national epidemiology, chikungunya is currently the dominant concern. Since an outbreak began in July in Matanzas, a total of 31,513 cases – confirmed or suspected – have been recorded. Minsap initially categorizes individuals with general fever symptoms as potential cases of both diseases, with definitive diagnoses based on clinical signs due to limited laboratory testing capacity.
The outbreak is straining Cuba’s healthcare system, with 95 patients currently in intensive care and 16 minors in critical condition due to chikungunya complications. To date, 2,098 dengue cases have been recorded. Data from the Pan American Health Institution (OPS), based on Minsap statistics, indicates 9,602 cases with 115 severe cases and three deaths between January and September.
Cuban authorities officially designated the simultaneous occurrence of dengue and chikungunya as an “epidemic” last week. However, the country’s ongoing economic challenges are hindering preventative and therapeutic efforts, particularly regarding mosquito control, diagnostics, and patient care. Durán acknowledged that official case numbers likely underestimate the true extent of the outbreak, as many individuals are not seeking medical attention.
Experts attribute the virus spread to Cuba’s warm climate and large mosquito population. Controlling the outbreak remains a notable challenge for the already-burdened health system.
