An outbreak of hepatitis A linked to Cuba has resulted in 79 identified cases in Florida, including 46 in Miami-Dade, and health authorities in the United States have warned that the risk of contracting the disease while traveling to the island remains present.
For this reason, they recommended getting vaccinated before traveling, especially for those planning to visit their families during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays.
The warning appears in a report published in September by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health.
The research examined 249 confirmed cases of hepatitis A in the state between June 2024 and February 2026, of which 79, representing 32%, were associated with an outbreak linked to Cuba.
Of those 79 patients, 76 had recent travel or immigration history from Cuba, including four who had just settled in the United States.
The other three cases were linked to the outbreak through genetic testing or epidemiological connections with infected individuals.
The highest concentration was recorded in Miami-Dade, where 46 of those affected resided, accounting for 58% of the total.
Eight cases were also identified in Palm Beach, six in Lee, five in Broward, and three in Hillsborough, as well as other infections distributed across various counties in Florida.
One of the most concerning details of the report is that 72% of the patients associated with the outbreak required hospitalization, although no deaths were recorded.
The median age of those affected was 39 years, 70% were men, and 92% identified as Hispanic or Latino.
The CDC indicated that the threat had not disappeared when the main research period concluded. In fact, they identified new patients in Florida starting from March 2026, with exposure history in Cuba as recent as August.
“The risk of hepatitis A among travelers to Cuba continues”, warns the document, which recommends preventive measures before visiting the country.
The research also examined the travel conditions of the affected individuals. Among 29 patients who responded to a supplementary questionnaire, 55% had remained in Havana and the rest reported stays in other Cuban provinces.
The median duration of the trips, calculated among 64 patients with known dates, was 11 days.
Regarding water consumption, 41% of respondents reported having drunk tap water during their stay in Cuba, while 69% consumed bottled water. Some individuals used various sources of supply.
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver and is primarily transmitted through the ingestion of water or food contaminated with fecal matter.
Sanitation deficiencies, interruptions in the supply of drinking water, and improper food handling contribute to its spread.
The laboratory analyses provided further evidence regarding the relationship between the cases. Of the 18 samples subjected to genetic studies, 15 corresponded to the same variant of the IA genotype of the virus, which had not been previously identified in Florida.
Researchers believe that these results are consistent with widespread transmission of hepatitis A in various regions of Cuba.
However, specialists clarified that it is not possible to confirm that all infections were acquired on the island, as some patients also stayed in Florida during the period in which they could have contracted the disease.
The investigation found only one episode of secondary transmission within a U.S. household and did not document widespread community transmission in Florida.
For those planning to travel to Cuba, the CDC recommends getting the hepatitis A vaccine preferably at least two weeks before departure.
Unvaccinated individuals should consult a healthcare professional as soon as they plan their trip, even if it's less than 14 days away.
In the case of adults over 40 years old, immunocompromised individuals, or patients with chronic liver diseases who will be traveling in less than two weeks, the doctor may recommend immunoglobulin in addition to the vaccine, based on an individual risk assessment.
It is also recommended to consume bottled or safely treated water, avoid ice of unknown origin, wash hands frequently with soap and water, and take extra precautions with raw foods or those prepared under unsanitary conditions.
Residents of Miami-Dade can check vaccine availability at the Florida Department of Health immunization services, which have centers located at 1350 NW 14th Street in Miami and 18255 Homestead Avenue in the West Perrine area.
For information about appointments and vaccines, the phone number 786-845-0550 is available. You can also consult with your doctor or with pharmacies that provide vaccination services.
People returning from Cuba who exhibit fever, intense fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin and eyes should seek medical attention and inform healthcare providers that they have recently been on the island.
The symptoms of hepatitis A can appear between two and seven weeks after exposure to the virus.
The report also notes that the Cuban regime has not publicly disclosed national epidemiological surveillance data that would allow understanding the true magnitude of hepatitis A in the country, despite reports of outbreaks recorded since 2024 in various provinces.
However, in December 2024, the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) recognized an increase in hepatitis A cases in Cuba.
Similarly, in August 2025, the United States Embassy in Havana issued another health alert due to the increase in cases of hepatitis A, particularly in the capital.
The diplomatic representation warned about issues related to water supply, waste collection, and sanitation, and emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated before visiting Cuba.
The alerts continued throughout 2026. In January, outbreaks of hepatitis A in Santiago de Cuba were reported, linked to poor sanitary conditions, while cases were documented in other provinces in March and April.
In May, the Cuban regime denied the existence of a hepatitis A epidemic.
The Deputy Minister of Public Health, Julio Guerra, assured that the country was not experiencing an epidemic of that disease, despite the outbreaks recorded in Matanzas, Pinar del Río, and Camagüey, and acknowledged the health difficulties caused by the energy crisis.
Related videos:
Filed under: