Dr. María Guadalupe Guzmán Tirado, the head of the Research, Diagnosis, and Reference Center at the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) in Havana, has shed light on the surge of chikungunya and dengue cases in Cuba. She attributed this rise to factors such as unplanned urban development, water supply challenges, and climate conditions, particularly rising temperatures that accelerate virus replication and shorten the time it takes for mosquitoes to become infectious.
However, she did not address the widespread power outages afflicting most Cubans, leaving families without air conditioning or fans during nights and early mornings. Additionally, the collapse of communal services and failures in garbage collection in various Cuban cities were not mentioned.
In an interview with state-run Canal Caribe, Dr. Guzmán noted that while dengue remains a prevalent illness in the country, the public is increasingly alarmed by the rapid spread of chikungunya across several provinces. She explained that the virus entered Cuba through a traveler in a viremic state, arriving in an environment conducive to the vector's reproduction.
The Threat of Chikungunya and Its Impact
According to the scientist, chikungunya is novel to the Cuban population, lacking immunity, which has facilitated its swift spread. Unlike dengue, chikungunya provides lasting immunity after infection and rarely leads to death, though it can cause prolonged joint and muscle pain. Other health professionals have warned that young children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, or heart disease are the most susceptible to complications.
The IPK experts emphasized that only early medical intervention and collaboration between social and health sectors to bolster hygienic and sanitary measures can curb the spread of these arboviral diseases in the country.
Healthcare System Struggles Amid Outbreak
A Cuban mother reported a breakdown at the "Juan Manuel Márquez" Pediatric Hospital in Havana, where the emergency department forces numerous children to join makeshift waiting lists. This scenario unfolds amid a surge of febrile and gastrointestinal illnesses. A user who shared the mother's account described the hospital's conditions as deplorable, with families sleeping on the floor, trash accumulation, and a "terrible stench" in the bathrooms.
Journalist Yirmara Torres Hernández depicted the severe health and humanitarian crisis in Matanzas due to the chikungunya outbreak. She remarked that as a result, the city "resembles a zombie town today." According to Torres, authorities only began responding when the outbreak had been expanding for "a month and a half or two."
After several days of denial, on October 15, the Cuban Ministry of Public Health (Minsap) finally acknowledged the death of three individuals from dengue in 2025.
Understanding the Chikungunya and Dengue Crisis in Cuba
What factors are contributing to the chikungunya and dengue outbreaks in Cuba?
Unplanned urban development, water supply issues, and rising temperatures are contributing to the outbreaks by creating conditions that accelerate virus replication and make mosquitoes infectious more quickly.
Why is chikungunya spreading rapidly in Cuba?
Chikungunya is new to the Cuban population, which has not developed immunity, allowing the virus to spread swiftly across several provinces.
Who are most at risk for complications from these diseases?
Young children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, or heart disease are most vulnerable to complications.
What measures are necessary to control the outbreaks?
Early medical intervention and coordination between social and health sectors to enhance hygiene and sanitation measures are crucial to controlling the spread of these diseases.