Cuba Faces Mounting Arbovirus crisis Amidst Underreporting, Supply Shortages, and Rising Death Toll
HAVANA, Cuba – A surge in arbovirus infections is overwhelming Cuba’s healthcare system, with reports of mounting deaths, critical shortages of medical supplies, and accusations of government underreporting, according to a recent inquiry by Spanish newspaper El País and corroborated by independent sources. The crisis,fueled by a combination of environmental factors and systemic deficiencies,is leaving the population vulnerable and fearful.
Residents in cities like Bayamo and Matanzas have reported recent deaths attributed to dehydration or respiratory failure linked to the infection. though, accurate identification of the specific arbovirus-likely dengue, chikungunya, or Zika-is hampered by a severe lack of reagents, leaving numerous analyses discarded.Nurses and doctors consulted by El país confirm the scarcity,contributing to widespread uncertainty.
Many polyclinics are reportedly issuing “nonspecific febrile syndrome” diagnoses, preventing targeted monitoring and treatment. This comes as the country faces a deficit of essential medicines exceeding 70%, forcing citizens to rely on self-medication and home remedies.
Nutritional deficiencies are further exacerbating the situation. an internal guide from the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) recommends protein-rich diets to bolster immune systems impacted by chikungunya, but access to foods like meat, dairy, fish, and nuts is limited for most Cubans. “Cuban food today is minced meat and rice,” one interviewee lamented to El País.
Despite mounting evidence, the Cuban government has attempted to downplay the severity of the outbreak, citing regional comparisons and claiming it is not unique to Cuba. Though, the proliferation of the Aedes aegypti mosquito-the primary vector for these viruses-is being driven by accumulated garbage, water shortages, frequent blackouts, and a lack of insecticides.
El País reports that official responses have been too late to contain a crisis that has already overwhelmed hospitals and morgues. Health authorities in Holguín province recently admitted failures in mosquito prevention as the region faces an epidemic phase in three municipalities.
Independent monitoring groups are documenting a significantly higher death toll than official figures suggest. A recent report from the Cuban Conflict Observatory (OCC) and the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba documented at least 87 deaths linked to the arbovirus epidemic between October and November 2025.
the situation has left the population “exhausted,” living “between pain, fever and uncertainty,” and seeking answers from a health infrastructure struggling to cope.
