Residents of the Avilan municipality of Ciro Redondo claim to have been living among foul water and larvae for over a month, with no response from the government or the water authority, despite repeated complaints and unfulfilled promises.
A report published by the neighbor Dayelín Salazar Reyna on the page of Facebook Revolico Ciro Redondo highlights the unhealthy conditions faced by residents of the sugar cane plan in that municipality.
According to the explanation, the overflow from the drainage waters has flooded behind the buildings and has kept the neighborhood inundated for over a month.
“It is embarrassing to have a government in this municipality when people voice concerns that affect the community and they neither listen nor take any action,” wrote Salazar on the social media platform, accompanied by another video showing stagnant wastewater and the presence of larvae.
He assured that the neighbors went to the local government and the Aqueduct several times, but they only received evasive responses: “They say this doesn’t belong to anything in this municipality.”
The images released reveal a potential hotspot for diseases amid the current health crisis.
“It’s a decay that exists, and we are all getting dengue from the filth that comes with it; no one can get close,” denounced Liuba Camejo Glen, another resident of the area.
The affected individuals accuse the municipal authorities of neglect and incompetence. "We've been waiting for a response for a month now, and they haven't done anything. I don't know why we have a government if they don't solve anything; it's all one lie after another," Salazar added.
Meanwhile, the contaminated water continues to accumulate just a few meters from the homes, with neither the municipality nor the water system taking effective measures to address the discharge.
Just as reported, Ciego de Ávila is currently in an epidemiological alarm zone due to a sustained increase in febrile patients and the simultaneous circulation of viruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Oropouche fever, according to local health authorities.
“In Matanzas, there are now few left to fall victim to any arbovirus,” wrote journalist Yirmara Torres Hernández in a post that depicts the healthcare and humanitarian crisis the province is experiencing due to the expansion of chikungunya.
Several hospitals on the island are facing a collapse due to the rising cases of dengue, chikungunya, as well as digestive diseases, compounded by a shortage of medications and medical staff overwhelmed by the health crisis.
A few days ago, specialists from the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) in Havana explained some of the reasons behind the resurgence of chikungunya and dengue in Cuba.
Among the main causes mentioned were unplanned urbanization, difficulties in water supply, and climatic conditions, particularly the rise in temperatures, which accelerate the replication of the virus and make the transmitting mosquito become infectious in a shorter period.
However, the prolonged blackouts that the vast majority of the Cuban population suffers, which forces families to spend nights and early mornings without cooling equipment or fans.
No mention was made of the collapse of communal services and failures in garbage collection, as well as the ongoing state of unsanitary conditions in numerous neighborhoods of Cuban cities.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Health Crisis in Ciro Redondo, Cuba
What is the current situation regarding wastewater in Ciro Redondo?
Residents of Ciro Redondo have been surrounded by sewage water for over a month, creating a hub of unsanitary conditions without the government or the waterworks providing effective solutions. This situation has led to the proliferation of diseases amid a widespread health crisis in Cuba.
What measures has the Cuban government taken in response to the health crisis in Ciego de Ávila?
So far, the authorities have not implemented effective measures to address the accumulation of wastewater in Ciro Redondo, despite complaints from local residents. The situation is part of a broader picture of governmental neglect, evident in the lack of resources for sanitation and vector control.
How is the health crisis impacting public health in the province of Ciego de Ávila?
Ciego de Ávila is in an epidemiological alert zone due to the presence of diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Oropouche fever. The combination of stagnant water, lack of fumigation, and collapsed services has exacerbated the health situation, increasing the risk of contagion among residents.
What role does the Cuban healthcare system play in the current health crisis?
The Cuban healthcare system is facing a collapse, evident in the shortage of medications, overworked medical personnel, and overflowing hospitals. The government's response has been inadequate, with limited resources for fumigation and sanitation efforts, leaving the population in a vulnerable position amid the health crisis.
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