In Santiago de Cuba, a teenage girl tragically lost her life following respiratory arrest, amidst a viral outbreak impacting several provinces in the country, with rising cases of dengue, chikungunya, and other arboviral diseases.
The independent journalist, Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, broke the news on social media, announcing the death of the young girl, Roxana, which occurred recently in the eastern city.
His post sparked a wave of condolences and shock among friends, acquaintances, and neighbors, who expressed their deep sorrow over the loss.
"Rest in peace, my beautiful girl... such sadness, strength to your mom and dad... may God give you eternal light," one user commented, while another recounted being at the military hospital when the young girl arrived and helped place her on a stretcher before learning the tragic news of her passing.
Although Cuban health authorities have not released official information regarding this case, the death coincides with a period of national epidemiological alarm. In recent weeks, the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) reported over 13,000 individuals with fever in just seven days, highlighting the active circulation of arboviruses across the nation.
Recently, the Vice Minister of Health, Carilda Peña García, explained that dengue and chikungunya continue their spread, with the dengue serotype 4 predominating, increasing the risk of complications in reinfected patients.
Nevertheless, authorities have emphasized that chikungunya "does not cause deaths," suggesting that in cases such as the teenager's, there might have been a pre-existing condition or a complication exacerbated by the viral situation.
Meanwhile, the epidemiological situation on the island continues to worsen. The scarcity of medicines, repellents, and resources for fumigation has left the population largely unprotected against the mosquito vectors.
In some regions, official media have gone as far as to recommend "covering the body" as a preventive measure due to the lack of repellents, a suggestion that has sparked outrage among citizens.
Hospitals and health centers are also facing increasing overcrowding. In provinces like Guantánamo and Ciego de Ávila, shelters and extensions of pediatric hospitals have been set up to care for children with mild symptoms and to ease the burden on emergency rooms.
Amidst this scenario, many Cubans are turning to natural remedies, such as cherry leaf infusions or medicinal plants, to alleviate feverish symptoms due to the lack of basic medications in state pharmacies.
As of now, the Ministry of Public Health has not issued an official statement regarding the case nor clarified whether the death was directly linked to the virus or a related complication.
Understanding the Viral Outbreak in Cuba
What are the primary diseases involved in the current outbreak in Cuba?
The main diseases involved in the current outbreak are dengue, chikungunya, and other arboviral diseases.
What measures are being recommended due to the lack of repellents?
Official media have suggested "covering the body" as a preventive measure in response to the scarcity of repellents, though this recommendation has sparked public outrage.
How are health facilities coping with the outbreak?
Health facilities are facing overcrowding, leading to the establishment of shelters and hospital extensions to manage the influx of patients, especially children with mild symptoms.