Cuban regime admits shortage of resources amid dengue and Chikungunya crisis in Matanzas

The province of Matanzas is facing an alarming increase in suspected cases of dengue and Chikungunya, diseases transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, amidst a deep crisis of unsanitary conditions, garbage accumulation, and a lack of state resources for fumigation and vector control.

During a meeting with local health authorities, the Deputy Minister of Public Health, Carilda Peña García, acknowledged that the country is facing "difficulties" in ensuring the necessary supplies for vector control efforts.

He assured that the Ministry of Health will continue to "support" territorial actions, although he did not specify when or how the material shortages will be addressed.

“Resources have been allocated, despite the challenges that our people are aware of,” admitted the official in statements to Girón, without specifying the extent of the shortages.

In Matanzas, where humidity, rainfall, and high temperatures promote the reproduction of mosquitoes, the epidemiological situation has worsened in municipalities such as Colón and Jovellanos, which report the highest rates of febrile syndromes.

In Colón, during the last week, there were 435 suspected cases, of which more than 46% are pediatric patients, according to official data. Health and Government authorities have initiated an intensive plan for epidemiological surveillance, fumigation, and environmental sanitation in critical areas.

There are students, doctors, and volunteers participating in house-to-house surveys and the elimination of microdumping sites. The local government has implemented intensive campaigns for active surveys, environmental sanitation, and waste collection in critical areas.

According to the population, the actions come too late and with insufficient resources. The lack of insecticide, fogging machines, fuel, and larvicides, as well as qualified personnel, has limited the scope of the fumigation campaigns, which now rely on the support of volunteers, students, and workers from other sectors such as sports and agriculture.

The proliferation of micro-dumps, the deterioration of garbage collection services, and the scarcity of drinking water further complicate the situation, not only in Matanzas but also in many provinces across the country where urban unsanitary conditions have become the norm.

Despite official calls for "family self-focalization," the population lives without basic conditions to prevent mosquito breeding grounds.

The Chikungunya virus, which is widely circulating in the region, concerns authorities due to the prolonged effects it leaves on patients. Meanwhile, at hospitals in Matanzas, such as Doctor Mario Muñoz Monroy, admissions are already being reported with alarming signs, and the capacity for care is beginning to feel strained.

The government insists that there is a national plan to combat arboviruses; however, its effectiveness is questionable given the structural inadequacy of the healthcare system and the lack of a sustained strategy to ensure minimum sanitary conditions in neighborhoods and communities.

Public health in Cuba once again falls into the hands of citizen resistance and the improvised efforts of local sectors, in an unequal battle against an epidemic outbreak that could have been prevented.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Health Crisis in Matanzas Due to Dengue and Chikungunya