All individuals affected by a food poisoning outbreak in Pedro Betancourt, Matanzas, were discharged from medical care this Sunday, according to the .
The incident occurred on Friday when dozens of people arrived in large numbers at the local health clinic with vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue after consuming food at a private business in the municipality, according to TV Yumurí journalist Pedro Rizo Martinez on his social media.
In total, the territorial polyclinic attended to 30 patients, of whom 11 were referred to higher-level medical centers: eight children to the Eliseo Noel Caamaño Pediatric Hospital and three adults to the Jovellanos hospital.
Health authorities confirmed that "as of this Saturday, they are being discharged to their homes in good health" and that "there were no individuals in serious condition or any fatalities" as a result of the incident.
The food consumed by the affected individuals was yellow rice with sausages and chicken in sauce, prepared at a private establishment, according to the official statement, which did not disclose the name of the venue.
Specialists from the Provincial Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology, and Microbiology have begun an investigation to determine the exact causes. According to the General Directorate of Health, "the analyses take at least five days because they conduct food cultures," so the results will not be available immediately.
The episode is set against a health deterioration that had been concerning in Matanzas for months, as authorities described the provincial epidemiological situation as "complex," with active outbreaks of hepatitis and gastrointestinal diseases.
At the national level, the most severe outbreak in recent times occurred at the end of August in Santiago de Cuba, where 52 people were treated and 18 hospitalized following a similar episode of mass food poisoning.
At the beginning of September, the United States Embassy in Havana issued a formal alert warning of a significant increase in diarrheal diseases across the country, attributed to the collapse of water and energy infrastructure, with pathogens identified as E. coli, norovirus, and Shigella.
The prolonged blackouts across the country jeopardize the safe preservation of food, a risk that increases in the private gastronomy sector, which has grown as a grassroots response to shortages but operates under very precarious refrigeration and hygiene conditions.
The General Directorate of Health of Matanzas took advantage of the statement to reiterate the need to "intensify hygiene measures in the preparation and consumption of food, and to seek immediate assistance at your health center upon experiencing similar symptoms."
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