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The Russian epidemiologist and academic Gennadiy Onishchenko recommended that citizens of his country not travel abroad during the year-end holidays, citing the risks of contagion from the outbreak of chikungunya currently affecting Cuba and other regions of the Caribbean.
In statements to the Russian media Life.ru, Onishchenko was unequivocal: “Anyone who has not yet purchased a trip should not do so. And those who already have should cancel it and consider resting at home. Traveling abroad and risking contracting an infection while paying for it is, at the very least, foolish.”
The specialist emphasized that the recent dengue and chikungunya epidemic in Cuba —which has resulted in dozens of deaths, mostly among minors— should serve as a warning for those planning to travel to tropical areas.
"It’s not just about the virus, but also the climate risks and the physical strain caused by sudden changes in temperature," he warned.
According to the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), Cuba has officially reported 33 deaths from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, although independent records raise the number to at least 87 fatalities nationwide.
The highest levels of contagion have been recorded in Havana and Santiago de Cuba.
The Cuban Observatory of Conflicts (OCC) recently reported that the epidemic has affected "one third of the population" in some provinces, exacerbated by the lack of medications, the accumulation of waste, and the collapse of the health system.
While Miguel Díaz-Canel's regime remains silent about the true extent of the outbreak, hospitals across the country are reporting overcrowding and shortages of basic supplies such as intravenous fluids, pain relievers, and laboratory reagents.
Onishchenko warned that, although the chikungunya virus may not spread in Russia due to the absence of the transmitting mosquito Aedes aegypti, the main risk lies in individual transmission and the health effects of travel on vulnerable individuals.
"The shift from a humid tropical climate to subzero temperatures in winter can cause serious disruptions in the body, especially in children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses," explained the epidemiologist, who noted that in recent years imported cases have been detected from Asia and the Caribbean.
The expert insisted that authorities must strengthen health controls at Russian airports and warned that tourists should not "risk their health or their money" for a trip under unstable conditions.
The warning from the Russian scientist adds to the recommendations issued this week by the United States Embassy in Havana, which alerted about the collapse of the island's electrical and health systems, and advised travelers to "assess the risks before moving."
Meanwhile, the Cuban regime acknowledged more than 30 deaths from dengue and chikungunya, but continues to promote foreign tourism amidst the epidemiological crisis, in a desperate attempt to sustain one of the few sources of foreign currency that remain.
"The combination of blackouts, lack of medication, and outbreaks of infections makes Cuba a high-risk destination," concluded Onishchenko, who advised his fellow countrymen to "spend the holidays at home and take care of their health."
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