Cuba Launches Chikungunya Response Amid Rising Citizen Concerns
HAVANA – Cuban authorities have announced โa new initiative to combat the spread of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease, โfollowing monthsโค of escalating publicโ complaints about the country’s โฃhandling of the outbreak. The response, detailed by officials including Morales โฃSuรกrez, focuses on three key objectives: reducing mosquito infestation rates, improving clinical treatment for theโค disease,โฃ and mitigatingโฃ long-termโข health consequences forโ those who have recovered.
the announcement comes as frustrationโ mounts โamong Cuban citizens who report a lack ofโฃ access to medication and inadequate public health infrastructure. Kenyaโค Tumbarell Tamayo, known online โขas “Lola La Negrita Cuban,” voiced the growing desperation in a recent TikTok video, questioning why officials haven’t acknowledged the severity of the situation and the scarcity of essential medicines. โ”When are they going to say โthat this virus, that this pandemic, is killing people?” she asked, visibly distressed. “When are โฃthey going to recognize โขthat โขthere are โno โmedications?”
According to officials, the new strategy aims to “take โadvantage ofโฃ the valuable experiences” gained during the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan centersโค on controlling โขthe Aedes aegypti mosquito vector, refining treatment protocols, and addressing the lasting effects of the illness โin recovered patients.
However, Tumbarell’s concerns echo widespread criticism regarding systemic issues โcontributing to the outbreak, including inadequate sanitation and pervasive standing waterโ that fuels mosquito โproliferation. “when are they going to โsay that these things โคwould have been avoided if there weren’t so manyโ sewers, if there wasn’t so much dirt, if the mosquitoes hadn’t โฃproliferated so much?” she โคdemanded.
Tumbarell concluded her plea with a stark warning, โquestioning the government’s willingness to seek assistance and lamenting the impact on ordinary Cubans.”Cuba onlyโ hurts, to us Cubans, to โthose on foot, who can’t take it anymore,” she stated. The effectiveness of the newly announced measures remains โฃto be seen, but the publicโ outcryโค underscores the urgent needโข for a comprehensive and transparent response to the chikungunya crisis.