The Prime Minister of Cuba, Manuel Marrero Cruz, promised that the country "can indeed" control the health crisis caused by dengue, amidst one of the worst epidemiological situations in recent years, with active virus transmission in several provinces and hospitals on the brink of collapse.
"This can indeed be controlled even in a short time, but it requires dedicating all the necessary effort and resources," stated the head of Government during a videoconference from the Palace of the Revolution.
The meeting, which was attended by Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa, also discussed the economic situation and the management of social programs, but the health topic set the tone for the gathering. Marrero emphasized the need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, ensure the provision of insecticides, and keep the public informed, “refuting any false information where necessary.”
His statements come amidst growing concern over the spread of dengue, chikungunya, and Oropouche fever, which are circulating simultaneously in at least a dozen provinces, according to reports from the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) itself.
In Ciego de Ávila, local authorities confirmed active transmission in the municipalities of Morón and the provincial capital, with a sustained increase in febrile cases and a high infestation of the transmitting mosquito.
While Marrero calls to "seek solutions," the officials from Public Health acknowledge that basic resources are lacking. The deputy minister Carilda Peña recently admitted that there is not enough fuel for fumigation and recommended that the public "burn citrus peels" as a homemade method to deter mosquitoes.
The statement, widely criticized on social media, highlighted the precariousness of the Cuban healthcare system, where hospitals suffer from shortages of medicines, insecticides, and medical staff.
The Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) confirmed that environmental conditions —heat, rains, accumulation of waste, and deficiencies in the water supply— have favored the spread of the viruses, particularly affecting children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses.
Dr. María Guadalupe Guzmán, head of the Research Center at IPK, explained that dengue and chikungunya are currently the viral diseases most prevalent in Cuba and raised concerns about the vulnerability of the population to the rapid spread of the vector.
In neighborhoods across various provinces, testimonies reflect a reality very different from the official optimism. Residents of Ciro Redondo, in Ciego de Ávila, reported that they have been living amidst foul waters and larvae for over a month, with no response from the authorities or effective actions from the Aqueduct. In pediatric hospitals in Havana and Camagüey, parents report overcrowding, lack of medical attention, and unsanitary conditions.
Despite the rising number of infections and the official acknowledgment of three deaths from dengue so far this year, the government narrative clings to a rhetoric of resilience and control.
Marrero appealed to discipline, the efforts of the leaders, and the "fighting spirit" to overcome the health crisis. However, in Cuban neighborhoods, where repellents, mosquito nets, and clean water are scarce, many citizens repeat another phrase: "Yes, we can... but without resources, no."
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