"Only a few more remain to fall in Matanzas due to some arboviral disease," wrote journalist Yirmara Torres Hernández in a post that captures the healthcare and humanitarian collapse experienced in the province due to the spread of chikungunya.
According to Torres, the authorities began to react when the outbreak had been growing and proliferating for "a month and a half or two."
He lamented that at that time the people of Matanzas faced the epidemic “at the worst moment: with 22-hour blackouts, lack of water, and without minimal conditions to confront those arboviral diseases that left us stranded.”
"Matanzas seems today like a city of zombies... that's how we are, hunched over, in pain. Just go outside and look," wrote, in a desperate and empathetic tone, on her Facebook account, the former director of the Union of Journalists of Cuba in the western province.
At the same time, he stated that "there is no longer a need for research to know how many people got sick," because "there are entire blocks, almost whole towns, and nearly complete families infected."
The communicator also reported the lack of fumigation and state neglect. "No one ever came to inspect or fumigate inside the homes on my block. One day, a tractor passed by, making more noise than smoke."
Still, he emphasized the neighborhood solidarity that has helped them cope with the crisis: “We have assisted each other with paracetamol tablets, rehydration salts, or carrying buckets of water. That beautiful solidarity is what saves us.”
Torres urged other provinces to learn from what happened in Matanzas and take timely action. "I can only pray for Havana... I hope no one dies, as has happened and still happens here. Human life is sacred and must be protected," he warned.
The journalist concluded her report with a direct criticism of the information opacity that has characterized the handling of the outbreak.
"To confront these diseases, information is essential. Information is power. Informing is not alarming, and in health, it is crucial. It is too late for Matanzas, but it is still valid for the provinces that are on their way to the peak."
Weeks ago, Torres published an emotional message on Facebook in which he reported deaths due to the chikungunya outbreak in his community, a revelation that categorically contradicted the official statements that denied the existence of deaths.
Similarly, the Cuban historian and activist Alina Bárbara López Hernández denounced that the national and provincial authorities were manipulating information regarding the epidemic affecting the province of Matanzas.
Shortly after, the state broadcaster Radio 26 of Matanzas issued a statement through the provincial director of Radio in Matanzas, Odalys Oriol Miranda Suárez, in an attempt to discredit Torres.
Miranda accused digital platforms of "manipulating" Torres's publication and stated that his complaint was an intentional action "against the system" rather than a "legitimate concern."
On October 15, the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (Minsap) officially acknowledged the death of three people due to dengue so far in 2025.
This announcement, made by Deputy Minister Carilda Peña García, represented the first institutional recognition of deaths due to arboviruses this year, ending weeks of silence and denials in response to citizen reports warning about the increase in severe cases, particularly in Matanzas.
Several Cuban provinces such as Holguín, Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila, Villa Clara and Havana are experiencing a resurgence of arboviruses.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Chikungunya Outbreak in Matanzas
What is the current situation of the chikungunya outbreak in Matanzas?
The chikungunya outbreak in Matanzas has reached critical levels, affecting entire families and causing a collapse in the local healthcare system. The province is facing prolonged blackouts, a lack of water, and a shortage of medications, further exacerbating the situation for those infected. Journalist Yirmara Torres Hernández reported the lack of effective actions by the government to control the epidemic and the manipulation of official information regarding the severity of the outbreak.
How has the Cuban government responded to the health crisis in Matanzas?
The Cuban government has faced criticism for its delayed response and for downplaying the severity of the health crisis in Matanzas. Authorities have denied the existence of deaths related to the chikungunya outbreak, despite citizen testimonies indicating otherwise. The lack of effective fumigation and the shortage of resources to tackle the epidemic have been points of criticism, as well as the censorship of those who report on the situation.
What prevention measures have been implemented in Matanzas to control the spread of chikungunya?
Despite the authorities' promises to improve sanitation and vector control measures, the reality is that these measures have been insufficient and ineffective. Power outages, garbage accumulation, and a lack of fumigation have allowed the Aedes aegypti mosquito, a vector of the virus, to proliferate uncontrollably. The population has had to rely mainly on neighborhood solidarity to cope with the crisis, sharing medications and scarce resources.
What role have the media and social networks played in raising awareness of the crisis in Matanzas?
Official media has attempted to downplay the crisis, but social media and testimonies from journalists like Yirmara Torres Hernández have been crucial in shedding light on the true scale of the problem. Reports on social media have revealed the lack of transparency and data manipulation by the government. This has sparked a debate about freedom of expression and the need for more critical and honest journalism in Cuba.
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