The Ministry of Public Health confirmed this Wednesday that chikungunya, initially detected in Matanzas, is now circulating in five provinces of Cuba, in an epidemiological scenario that has become more complex due to the increase of Aedes and febrile cases in the country.
According to the update provided by the national director of Epidemiology, Dr. Francisco Durán, the virus began in the municipality of Perico (Matanzas) and today has transmission in Matanzas, Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Pinar del Río, and Havana.
In Matanzas, cases have been confirmed in Cárdenas, Perico, Martí, and Jovellanos; in the provincial capital, reports have come in from Arroyo Naranjo, Cerro, and Playa.
The national outlook also includes dengue and oropouche transmission in 12 provinces. Durán noted that dengue has seven patients in serious condition (none critical), while oropouche is proceeding without serious complications.
The expert attributed the spread of arboviruses to the combination of rain, high temperatures, and accumulated waste, factors that favor mosquito breeding grounds.
He recalled that chikungunya is transmitted by both Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus —the latter having habitats in forests and green areas—, which expands the risk scenarios.
Regarding the symptoms, he emphasized that chikungunya causes intense joint pain that may persist after the acute phase, while dengue can present with significant pain (known as “breaking-bone fever”).
"Indeed, it causes a lot of joint pain and people really feel very unwell, even after the acute phase has passed, because sometimes it makes it difficult for them to move," she said about chikungunya.
Durán denied the existence of alleged hospital collapses or high numbers of deaths in a single day and urged the public to follow official information to avoid confusion during the peak transmission season.
This Wednesday, health authorities in the municipality of Sagua la Grande, in Villa Clara, alerted about the increase in cases of fever in recent weeks, amid an outbreak of several arboviral diseases that have affected various provinces in Cuba.
The authorities are applying focal treatment (abate), fumigation, adulticides, and peripheral actions. So far, there are no severe or critical cases, and health services are not overwhelmed.
In the municipality of Colón, Matanzas, 435 cases of non-specific febrile syndromes were reported in just one week, with 40 beds occupied and five patients showing warning signs.
Frequently asked questions about the chikungunya outbreak in Cuba
In how many provinces of Cuba has chikungunya been detected?
Chikungunya has been detected in five provinces of Cuba: Matanzas, Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Pinar del Río, and Havana. The outbreak began in the municipality of Perico, in Matanzas, and has been spreading to other areas.
How is the chikungunya virus transmitted?
The chikungunya virus is transmitted through two species of mosquitoes: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. These mosquitoes can thrive in urban and rural areas, encouraged by conditions such as rainfall, high temperatures, and the accumulation of waste.
What are the most common symptoms of chikungunya?
The most common symptoms of chikungunya include high fever and severe joint pain, which may persist even after the acute phase of the disease. These symptoms can significantly impact the quality of life for patients.
What is the situation of the healthcare system in Cuba in light of the chikungunya outbreak?
Despite the increase in cases, Cuban authorities assure that the healthcare system is not collapsed, and that no severe or critical cases of chikungunya have been reported. However, the outbreak coincides with a delicate health situation due to dengue and oropouche, which has created tensions in the healthcare system.
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