The Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (Minsap) acknowledged a rise in several communicable diseases in the country amid difficulties with water supply and treatment, environmental sanitation issues, accumulation of waste, and limitations in combating the mosquito Aedes aegypti.
The Deputy Minister of Public Health Carilda Peña García again addressed the epidemiological situation during an appearance this Friday on the program Buenos Días, aired by Canal Caribe, where she confirmed the circulation of dengue and chikungunya and acknowledged that there is a “complicated hygienic situation” in several of the most affected areas.
The health authorities themselves had previously acknowledged a simultaneous increase in arboviruses, diarrheal diseases, hepatitis, and acute respiratory infections.
In the case of diarrhea and hepatitis, they associated their occurrence with limitations in environmental sanitation, water treatment, and waste collection.
Peña mentioned on Friday the issues related to water and environmental management while addressing the proliferation of the transmitting mosquito.
The supply crisis also forces many families to store water for extended periods, which can create new breeding grounds if the containers are not properly protected.
"As long as there is a pool of water and conditions inside the house, it won't go outside," explained the deputy minister, who urged the elimination of potential breeding sites for the vector within homes and to maintain the use of the larvicide in the tanks.
The response against the mosquito also faces limitations. Peña acknowledged that fumigation efforts are currently restricted due to the energy situation and the availability of fuels, as a significant portion of the equipment used in these operations requires diesel or gasoline.
The problem is already visible in several provinces. In Santiago de Cuba, the shortage of fuel has halted fumigation efforts while the transmission of arboviruses persists and the mosquito infestation rates remain high.
In Holguín, authorities recently received 50 fumigation teams donated by the Pan American Health Organization to strengthen actions against Aedes aegypti in the 14 municipalities of the province.
In this context, Peña confirmed that chikungunya continues to circulate in Cuba and identified Pinar del Río, Sancti Spíritus, and Villa Clara as the territories with the highest incidence rates, along with several municipalities in Havana.
As he explained, it largely pertains to areas where, during the epidemic wave of the previous year, there were fewer cases, and therefore, a greater number of people remain susceptible to contracting the disease after a mosquito bite.
The deputy minister recalled that last year's chikungunya outbreak was significant and affected nearly the entire country, leaving many patients with lasting effects and joint pains that can persist for extended periods.
Among the main warning signs, she mentioned persistent and hard-to-control fever, joint pain, and inflammation of the joints.
According to Peña, the training that medical staff received after the previous epidemic now allows them to better differentiate the clinical presentation of chikungunya from that of dengue.
The official emphasized especially the pregnant women in the last trimester and close to giving birth, newborns, young children, and people with conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, groups that are more vulnerable to potential complications.
In the case of pregnant women, she warned about the risk of transmission to the newborn if the mother contracts chikungunya near the time of delivery and noted that, when living in areas with high transmission or significant infestation, they may be admitted to maternal homes to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.
Peña also urged avoiding a hasty return to exercise or physical efforts after overcoming the acute phase.
He stated that during the previous epidemic, there were young people who, feeling better, quickly resumed their activities and ended up suffering complications that in some cases led to fatalities.
Regarding dengue, the deputy minister reiterated that there is a seasonal increase in cases and urged people to see a doctor if fever appears, due to the risk of serious complications.
The spike occurs after an analysis released in September indicated that dengue incidence was 7.4 times higher than the expected level for this stage of 2026, with several weeks still remaining before the period when a seasonal peak is historically recorded.
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