The audacity of the Cuban regime has reached fictional levels: while Cubans suffer from blackouts of up to 20 hours a day and the government sells repellents in dollars, the Deputy Minister of Public Health, Carilda Peña —who surely does not suffer from power outages— recommended “burning citrus peels” as a traditional method to drive away the dengue mosquito, amid the resurgence of arboviral diseases affecting the country.
During an appearance on Cuban Television, the official acknowledged that the country is facing “a complex epidemiological situation” and that the indices of the Aedes aegypti mosquito are very high, but the Ministry of Health does not have the necessary fuel to conduct mass fumigations “as in the past.”
"We have to appeal to everything," Peña insisted, suggesting the use of mosquito nets, long sleeves, homemade repellents, and smoke generated by burning peels of certain citrus fruits, because "they drive away the vector and protect health."
The deputy minister also confirmed the simultaneous circulation in Cuba of several mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue and chikungunya, whose presence was initially detected in the municipality of Perico, Matanzas.
According to the explanation, the coexistence of both diseases worsens the health situation and demands "integrated and comprehensive actions" in areas with the highest number of cases.
Peña noted that the diagnosis of chikungunya is performed only through PCR, which limits its detection, and reminded that dengue continues to be the "standard disease" of arboviral infections on the island.
In light of the lack of resources, the official requested the cooperation of local institutions and the community to "tidy up the environment" and eliminate mosquito breeding sites both inside and outside homes.
"We need to clear the brush, channel the ditches, address any leaks, and put all available resources to the task at hand," he said.
The call to "appeal to everything" reflects the deterioration of the state's ability to respond to health crises, in a context where basic resources for epidemiological control are lacking and hospitals are facing shortages of medications, insecticides, and personnel.
The statements made by the deputy minister sparked criticism on social media, where many users mocked the "rudimentary" measures proposed by the government.
While the deputy minister recommends burning citrus peels, the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (MINSAP) officially acknowledged this Wednesday the death of three individuals due to dengue so far in 2025.
The figure -very low- represents the first official acknowledgment of deaths due to arbovirus this year, following weeks of institutional silence and public denials in response to citizen reports warning of an increase in severe cases, particularly in the province of Matanzas.
The authorities of Matanzas, a province heavily affected, admitted to a high transmission of dengue and chikungunya, but they are hopeful that winter will reduce the cases, despite the healthcare collapse and lack of vector control.
Frequently asked questions about the arboviral crisis in Cuba
What measures has the Cuban government proposed to combat dengue?
The Deputy Minister of Public Health of Cuba, Carilda Peña, has recommended burning citrus peels as a traditional method to ward off the Aedes aegypti mosquito, amid a shortage of resources for mass fumigation. She also suggests the use of mosquito nets, long sleeves, and homemade repellents. These measures have been criticized for their rudimentary nature and the lack of state resources for effective vector control.
What is the current epidemiological situation in Matanzas?
The province of Matanzas is facing a severe epidemiological crisis due to the co-circulation of the dengue and chikungunya viruses. The outbreak has overwhelmed hospitals and revealed the precariousness of the Cuban healthcare system, with limited resources for fumigation and vector control. Despite the seriousness of the situation, authorities are hopeful that winter will reduce the proliferation of the transmitting mosquito.
How is the lack of resources affecting the Cuban healthcare system?
The Cuban health system is facing a critical shortage of basic supplies, such as insecticides, fuel, medications, and qualified personnel. This scarcity has severely limited the response capacity to the arboviral crisis. The situation is further worsened by prolonged blackouts that affect the operation of hospitals, forcing the cancellation of scheduled surgeries and prioritizing only emergencies.
What is the response of the population to the measures of the Cuban government?
The response from the public has been one of criticism and skepticism. The measures proposed by the government have been viewed as insufficient and ineffective in light of the magnitude of the crisis. On social media, many users have mocked the government's rudimentary recommendations, and the lack of resources has diminished trust in the state's handling of the health crisis.
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