The health authorities in Santiago de Cuba have denied reports of deaths or severe illness resulting from the consumption of a product mistakenly sold as "alum," which some locals have used in attempts to purify drinking water.
Dr. Miguel Ángel Díaz Núñez, the General Director of Health in the province, made this clarification following rumors spread on social media by official channels that two individuals had died due to this issue.
“After thorough verification of the deaths, including both adults and children, no fatalities have been recorded from this cause. We also do not have any critically or severely hospitalized patients due to external poisoning,” Dr. Díaz stated in an official communication released by the Provincial Health Directorate.
The statement clarifies that alum—a term commonly used to refer to aluminum sulfate or potassium alum—has chemical properties that help neutralize bacteria and eliminate undesirable odors or tastes in water. It is typically used as a coagulant in water treatment but should be handled with safety measures to prevent risks.
The authorities also reported that active health surveillance is being maintained at all levels of medical care and urged the population to rely only on official channels for information.
This announcement comes after social media posts suggested that the alleged deaths were linked to the consumption of a "fake alum" being sold illegally on the streets of Santiago de Cuba. This situation arose amidst public complaints about the murky water following Hurricane Melissa's impact on the eastern region.
The initial report was shared by the official profile “Comunicación Asamblea Santiago Cuba” on Facebook, claiming that two employees from the University of Santiago de Cuba died after consuming a product illegally marketed as "alum," which was actually an industrial bleach stolen from the Mar Verde warehouses.
The Facebook post, now removed, warned that “unscrupulous individuals” had stolen a batch of industrial bleach from Mar Verde’s warehouses and were selling it as “alum bleach.”
Additionally, the Provincial Delegation of Hydraulic Resources in Santiago de Cuba issued an urgent alert to the public about the illegal sale of the product known as “alum,” which is being distributed on the streets as a supposed water purifier, despite posing a significant health risk.
“The entire population of Santiago de Cuba is warned not to purchase the product known as ‘alum,’ which is being sold illegally on the streets. This product poses a serious health risk,” the still-published communication on social media from the entity declares.
The initial warning, followed by the denial, comes amid a health emergency in Santiago de Cuba, where Hurricane Melissa, nearly a month ago, caused severe damage to the water infrastructure. Since then, water has been reaching homes with abundant sediments and a dark brown color, prompting many residents to use alum in an attempt to clarify it.
Key Questions about the Alum Incident in Santiago de Cuba
What prompted the authorities in Santiago de Cuba to clarify the situation regarding alum?
Authorities clarified the situation after reports circulated on social media claiming deaths from consuming a product sold as alum. These reports were later proven false.
What is the risk associated with the fake alum being sold?
The fake alum being sold illegally is actually industrial bleach, which poses serious health risks if consumed, as it is not intended for water purification.
How has Hurricane Melissa affected water supply in Santiago de Cuba?
Hurricane Melissa caused significant damage to the water infrastructure, resulting in water reaching homes with sediments and a dark brown color, leading residents to seek methods to purify it.