The doctor Francisco Durán García, national director of Epidemiology at the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), cautiously addressed the issue of the increase in “buzos” in the country, referring to individuals who search through trash bins for leftover food or items.
Durán García did not place much emphasis on the cause or the consequences of such behaviors, which are linked to the growing economic crisis affecting the country, although he did describe their proliferation as “indiscipline.”
“The task of sanitation remains the hardest, still facing serious problems due to waste collection and the prevailing social indiscipline,” said Durán during his weekly television address on the epidemiological situation in the country.
“More and more people are being found rummaging through trash cans, creating a mess as such,” she added without elaborating further on the sensitive issue.
The truth is that Cuba is facing a health crisis exacerbated by extreme poverty and a lack of sanitation, which increases the epidemiological risks on the island.
Dengue and Oropouche
In another context, Francisco Durán specified that dengue and the Oropouche virus are still circulating.
He said that dengue transmission is occurring in only three provinces, four municipalities, and four health areas.
He pointed out that there are more than 2,500 people hospitalized due to suspected dengue, but there are no severe or critical cases.
There is no new dengue serotype. Serotypes 3 and 4 are primarily in circulation, with type 2 circulating to a lesser extent, which is the most virulent one, though also to a lesser degree.
Regarding the Oropouche, it is present in seven provinces, eight municipalities, and eight health areas, with a number of cases that do not include severe, critical, or complicated ones.
Currently, there are no other alarming epidemic situations: only the circulation of influenza and common respiratory viruses for this time of year.
Diarrheal cases have also not increased, and COVID-19 remains at minimal levels, with three or four cases per week, according to the specialist.
The garbage, the major problem
Although Durán only alluded to the issue timidly, the garbage collection in Cuba has become a chronic problem, impacting both public hygiene and the quality of life of citizens.
In many cities, including Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and other locations, waste accumulates on the streets for days and even weeks without being collected.
This situation not only has a significant environmental impact but also leads to the proliferation of pests such as rats, mosquitoes, and cockroaches, increasing the risk of diseases.
The authorities have acknowledged the crisis, but the implemented solutions have been insufficient to effectively resolve the issue.
The causes of this crisis are diverse. Among them, the lack of operational garbage collection trucks, the shortage of fuel, and the lack of organization in municipal cleaning services stand out.
This is compounded by the deterioration of the infrastructure for waste management, with collapsed landfills and inadequate treatment to minimize their environmental impact. The situation is worsened in peripheral neighborhoods and rural areas, where collection is even more sporadic, forcing residents to burn waste or dump it on vacant lots.
Citizens have expressed their frustration over the ineffectiveness of sanitation services and the lack of concrete responses from the government.
In some areas, community initiatives have been organized for street cleaning and the removal of makeshift dumping sites, but these actions are insufficient without institutional support.
Meanwhile, the accumulation of garbage continues to be a visible and concerning problem, which not only affects the country's image but also poses a direct threat to public health and the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Health and Epidemiological Crisis in Cuba
What factors have led to the increase in people scavenging in the trash in Cuba?
The increase in people rummaging through the trash in Cuba is primarily due to the economic crisis that the country is facing. The lack of resources and extreme poverty have led many citizens to seek out remnants of food and items in the waste as a means of survival. This situation, described as "social indiscipline" by Dr. Francisco Durán García, reflects the deterioration of living conditions on the island.
How does the accumulation of garbage affect public health in Cuba?
The accumulation of waste in Cuba poses a direct threat to public health. The lack of waste collection facilitates the proliferation of pests such as rats, mosquitoes, and cockroaches, increasing the risk of diseases like dengue and the Oropouche virus. Poor waste management and a lack of sanitation exacerbate the epidemiological situation in the country.
What is the current situation of dengue and the Oropouche virus in Cuba?
Dengue and Oropouche virus continue to circulate in Cuba, affecting several provinces. Although no severe or critical cases have been reported recently, the co-circulation of these viruses remains a challenge for the Cuban health system. The lack of resources for fumigation campaigns and vector control complicates the situation.
What measures are the Cuban authorities taking to address the health crisis?
Cuban authorities have urged the population to maintain a clean environment and eliminate mosquito breeding sites. However, the lack of resources and poor infrastructure complicate the effective implementation of these measures. Doctor Francisco Durán García has emphasized the importance of personal hygiene and medical attention for any epidemiological symptoms.
Filed under:
