Matanzas in Crisis: Journalist Exposes Arbovirosis Outbreak and Criticizes Government Silence

Journalist Yirmara Torres Hernández, former president of the Cuban Journalists Union (UPEC) in Matanzas, has publicly condemned an arbovirosis outbreak affecting the entire province. She criticized the local media and health authorities for their inadequate handling of the situation. "The entire province of Matanzas is facing an arbovirosis outbreak! This is not just happening in Cárdenas; it's widespread across Matanzas. Stop distorting reality and misleading the public," she expressed in a detailed Facebook post. Her comments targeted the state-run TV Yumurí, which reported the issue as being localized to the Cárdenas area.

The official report mentioned a "high incidence of chikungunya" in Cárdenas, highlighting symptoms like high fever and severe joint pain, but assured that "no deaths or severe cases have been reported" and that "all health areas" have been mobilized to tackle the outbreak, despite resource limitations. In response, Torres accused the authorities of disrespecting the public by downplaying the widespread nature of the illness across Matanzas.

Torres drew parallels with the COVID-19 outbreak in the province, noting, "This might not be as severe as the COVID outbreak that resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths in a single day in Matanzas. Back then, they tried to hide it until it blew up in their faces. Nobody told me; I was there, witnessed it, and lived through it." She firmly rejected any attempt to blame citizens for the disease spread, arguing, "We deserve more respect! And questioning us for not visiting the doctor? Seriously? Stop hiding the truth. The public needs solutions, not untimely reports or excuses."

Although she stated she has no evidence of arbovirosis-related deaths, she noted knowing "people who've been seriously ill" and warned of an epidemic affecting entire families, neighborhoods, and towns. Her reflections also touched on the health system's lack of resources and the neglect of key figures in past disease control efforts. "My son's grandfather, Plutarco Roche, was a forgotten doctor like many others. He was an epidemiologist in Matanzas and led dengue campaigns. This won't resolve itself... we all know that," she lamented.

Torres's testimony is part of a growing wave of reports highlighting the worsening chikungunya outbreak in Matanzas. Factors such as garbage accumulation, lack of sanitation, power outages, and an overwhelmed healthcare system have contributed to the mosquito-borne disease's spread. The outbreak, which began in July in the Perico municipality, has spread throughout the province, with reports of entire neighborhoods falling ill, bedridden patients, and a lack of medication.

Activist Amelia Calzadilla also questioned the government's inaction, asking why a health emergency hasn't been declared. "Children, the elderly, workers, and students are bedridden with severe bone and muscle pain, fatigue, and high fever. What virus is this? How can it be prevented? How should it be treated?" she posted on social media.

Torres concluded her message with a call for critical journalism and professional honesty. "If we are going to inform, let's do it with objectivity... or at least with professional honesty, as Professor Iraida Calzadilla suggests," she stated. She reminisced about the impactful report by the program Causas y Azares on the COVID-19 outbreak at the Faustino Pérez Hospital, adding, "We could really use a Adonis Subit Lamí now, someone brave enough to do real, uncomfortable journalism."