Cuban Doctorsโ Detail widespread Chikungunya andโค Dengue Crisis as โCases Surge
Matanzas, โฃCuba – โOctoberโ 16, 2025 – Doctors at the IPKโฃ (Pedro Kourรญ โคTropical Medicine Institute) are reporting a rapidly escalatingโ health crisis in Cuba โขdriven by outbreaks of chikungunya and dengue fever,โ wihtโค the situation described as a “month and a halfโฃ or โtwo in growth and โproliferation.” The outbreaks are overwhelming โthe already strained Cuban healthcare system, leading to reports of collapsed infrastructure and critical shortages of resources.
The spread of chikungunya is particularly concerning as it โฃis indeed a โขnew disease for the โCuban population, meaning limited existing immunity facilitates its rapid transmission. While fatalities from chikungunyaโ are rare, the virus causes prolonged joint and muscle pain, impacting a notable portion of the population.
Dengue fever has also seen a surge, with the Cuban Ministry of Public Health (Minsap) finally acknowledging, onโ October 15th, the deathsโ of three people from dengue so far in 2025 – a recognition that came “after several days โof denial.”
Contributing factors to the outbreaks include unplannedโ urbanization, difficulties in โwater supply, increased temperatures, and infrastructure problems such as frequent blackouts, the collapse of communal services, and inadequate garbage management.
Doctors report that hygienic-sanitary โmeasures are being reinforced, and early medical assistance is being emphasized. Though, resource limitations, including shortages of insecticides and technicalโ personnel, are hindering effective fumigation and vector control efforts.โ
The Cuban health system is currently described as “collapsed” due to the combined arbovirus cases and a lack of medical resources. Hospitals are reportedly facing deplorable conditions, with reports of poor patient care and shortages of essential medicines.Concerns have been raised regarding โa lack of openness from official sources regarding the severity of theโ situation.
Vulnerableโ populations – young children,โข the elderly, and โฃindividuals with chronic illnesses – are at increased risk of complications fromโ both chikungunya and dengue.