Authorities in Matanzas Deny Deaths Amid Rising Dengue and Chikungunya Spread in the Province

Health officials in Matanzas have stated that no fatalities have been recorded from the current outbreak of mosquito-borne viruses in the province. However, they acknowledged that all 13 municipalities are experiencing chikungunya circulation, and 12 are actively battling dengue transmission, with the exception of the Zapata Swamp area.

During a Provincial Government meeting, Dr. Yamira López García, the General Director of Health in the region, highlighted the "upward trend" in infections and the overwhelming burden on primary care services due to fever-related cases. Dr. Andrés Lamas Acevedo, the Provincial Director of Hygiene, Epidemiology, and Microbiology, explained that dengue poses greater clinical severity, especially due to warning symptoms that could lead to complications.

Meanwhile, he warned that chikungunya has a high attack rate attributed to the population's low immunity, which increases risks for the elderly and those with chronic diseases. Despite assurances from Matanzas authorities that no deaths have been reported, social media has been flooded with claims of potential fatalities linked to dengue or related complications, which do not appear in official reports.

In July, Facebook users reported the alleged death of an eight-year-old in Manzanillo from hemorrhagic dengue, a case never confirmed by the Ministry of Public Health. Weeks later, in Sancti Spíritus, family and friends announced the death of a child named Yoel, reportedly due to dengue complications. Though local media covered the event, authorities have not included the case in national reports or issued further statements.

Rumors in Matanzas about a child's death were recently dismissed by the Provincial Health Directorate, labeling the claims as "completely false." However, ongoing social media discussions and the lack of clarity on some patients' diagnoses bolster the public perception of unacknowledged or misclassified deaths as "unspecified febrile syndromes."

Despite the increase in cases, Matanzas officials stated on Friday that hospitals have adequate beds, and the rise in pediatric admissions is due to protocols requiring hospitalization of infants under one year with unspecified febrile syndrome. However, the meeting also revealed the deficient vector control infrastructure. Dr. Rony Lázaro Reyes Sánchez, the Provincial Deputy Director of Hygiene and Identity in the Vector Area, admitted they have only 777 fumigators of the 1,341 needed, leading to situations where "fogging equipment remains unused due to lack of staff."

Moreover, Matanzas lacks the necessary fogging machines for intensive spraying across the municipalities. To address this shortfall, a mobile brigade with equipment will be deployed via buses to the most epidemiologically challenging areas from health centers.

The meeting also included Mario Sabines Lorenzo, the province's First Party Secretary, and Governor Marieta Poey Zamora, both emphasizing the importance of strengthening the "unity of all organizations" to combat the spread of these arboviruses. Although officials avoided discussing the outbreak's true extent, the presented data clearly indicates Matanzas is facing a simultaneous expansion of dengue and chikungunya across most of its territory amidst a backdrop of inadequate fumigation, personnel shortages, and material deficiencies limiting healthcare response.