Ciego de Ávila in "alert zone": dengue, Oropouche, and "isolated cases" of chikungunya

The province of Ciego de Ávila is in a state of epidemiological alert due to the sustained increase in febrile patients and the simultaneous circulation of viruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Oropouche fever, according to local health authorities.

In statements cited by the official media Invasor, Dr. José Luis López González, Deputy Director of Epidemiology at the Provincial Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology, and Microbiology, specified that "during the fifth week of transmission, the circulation of arboviral diseases continues, with the identification of dengue virus serotype two, which is in addition to serotype three that has been circulating for three years."

The specialist explained that "at this time the province is experiencing a rise in the report of febrile patients, with a positivity rate of incidence in recent weeks that has shown irregular behavior, but also a tendency to increase".

According to López González, the municipalities with the highest number of reports in the past five weeks are Ciego de Ávila and Venezuela, although all have shown increases. He also noted "an increase in reactivity or suspected cases in recent weeks in the municipalities of Ciego de Ávila, Florencia, and Chambas."

The Deputy Director of Epidemiology indicated that, in addition to dengue, the circulation of the Oropouche virus has been confirmed in the province, and isolated cases of chikungunya have been detected. “The environmental conditions are in place; they are also favorable. It is raining, it is hot. We have sick people and the vector is present,” the specialist warned.

Regarding control actions, he explained that currently "it is not being done as it was in the past, when everything was fumigated; today these actions are carried out in layers, where we have the febrile patient who went to the doctor." This means, he said, that "the house of the reported febrile patient and the adjacent homes, on both sides and in front, are fumigated."

López González emphasized the need to see a doctor at the first signs of illness: "As always, we urge everyone that when they have a fever or feel unwell, they should visit their family doctor or the nearest emergency department, whether it's a polyclinic or a hospital."

The specialist added that the health system activates vector control measures in the patient's surroundings once the case is reported, and these actions are carried out in coordination with the provincial government to ensure resources such as fuel.

Citizen reactions: "There is no alarm here, there is an epidemic."

The posting of the news on the profile of Invasor generated hundreds of reactions on social media, where residents described a much more serious reality. “Ciego de Ávila is not under alert, it is overwhelmed by viruses,” wrote a user. Others questioned the absence of fumigation, the lack of medications, and the accumulation of garbage that promotes the spread of mosquitoes.

"This is not an alarm, it is a collapse,” wrote a user, while another claimed that “Ciego de Ávila is full of viruses; we have all suffered from dengue, Oropouche, or chikungunya.” The complaints are echoed with a common demand: the lack of fumigation, the accumulation of trash, and the absence of vector control brigades.

"I haven't seen a fumigator in years, that photo they posted is old," commented a user. Another wrote: "Everyone in my neighborhood is sick, and the hospital has no IV fluids or medication; all they do is send you home." Some added that "the power outages of 18 to 20 hours a day" worsen the situation because "the mosquitoes don't let anyone sleep" and "the children are the most affected."

Others openly questioned the official narrative. “Where is the alarm? This is already an epidemic and no one wants to acknowledge it,” said one reader, while another lamented that “the government only reacts when there are deaths, but never before.” “If you don’t have a high fever, they won’t even see you. They tell you to stay hydrated, put on cool compresses, and send you home,” wrote a mother who claims she had symptoms for a week without being able to see a doctor.

The criticisms also point to the deterioration of public hygiene. “The streets are a dump, there are dumpsites on every corner and no one picks them up,” one comment stated. Others emphasized that “power outages, garbage, and the lack of water are the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.”

Several testimonies agreed that local authorities do not communicate transparently and that official media "sanitize" the seriousness of the outbreak. "That image of the fumigation is from years ago; no one has come by with a sprayer, neither day nor night," reads another comment. "The people are sick, and the government only asks for patience. Patience doesn't cure dengue."

In the midst of despair, some residents turned to humor or resignation. "I no longer know if I caught the virus or if I'm still waiting for it, because everyone in my block is sick," one user joked. Another summed up the general sentiment: "It's every man for himself. There's no fumigation, no medications, and the mosquito is the only one with freedom in Cuba."

The MINSAP acknowledges deaths from dengue

The situation in Ciego de Ávila arises within the same context in which the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) acknowledged the deaths of three individuals due to dengue in Cuba. This information, provided by Deputy Minister Carilda Peña García, represented the first public acknowledgment of fatalities after weeks of denials by other officials, such as Doctor Francisco Durán and Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda.

Peña also confirmed the circulation of dengue in 12 provinces and chikungunya in eight, although MINSAP maintains a policy of prioritizing fumigation resources only in areas with confirmed transmission, leaving large areas of the country without preventive coverage.

Critical environment: blackouts and trash

Residents report long nighttime blackouts, illegal dump sites in various neighborhoods, and a lack of clean water, factors that favor the proliferation of the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Some have opted to manually "produce smoke" due to the absence of state-sponsored fumigation.

"We are sleeping under torn mosquito nets, without light and without insecticides; the houses are full of sick people," recounted a mother from the area of Venezuela.

Products in dollars amid the emergency

Meanwhile, in Havana, state-owned stores sell repellents and creams for insect bites exclusively in U.S. dollars (MLC), with prices ranging from 2.75 to 7.40 USD, as reported by CiberCuba. This measure has generated criticism for its exclusionary nature, as the majority of Cubans earn in pesos and do not have access to foreign currencies.

The contradiction is evident: while there is a lack of fumigation, medication, and repellents in the national currency, the government is selling essential sanitary products in dollars.

A province in health tension

Although the MINSAP avoids discussing an epidemic, the reality in Ciego de Ávila reveals a sustained increase in arboviral diseases and a public perception of neglect. The testimonies of patients and the saturation of the healthcare system reflect an unacknowledged emergency situation, where the government's response arrives late and with insufficient resources.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Outbreak of Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Ciego de Ávila