Recently, Miguel Díaz-Canel, the leader of Cuba, expressed his dissatisfaction with the municipalities of Cerro, Plaza de la Revolución, and Playa in Havana for their shortage of fumigation workers. He has called for the mobilization of students and employees to address this shortfall.
The government has acknowledged that despite high revenues from arboviral diseases, Havana has not effectively controlled mosquito transmission.
The capital's epidemiological landscape shows a decrease in febrile cases over the past five weeks. However, specific numbers of those infected were not disclosed, although significant admissions were noted. As of now, there are 148 adults and 162 children under three years old hospitalized, highlighting the vulnerability of these groups to arboviral diseases. This information was shared during a weekly meeting between national leaders and Havana officials, as reported by the Presidential digital portal.
Authorities have indicated that this marks the sixth consecutive week of intensive adulticide treatments across more than 303,000 homes.
The University of Medical Sciences is actively involved in screenings, surveillance, and primary patient care, while intersectoral efforts focus on sanitation and environmental hygiene.
Despite these actions, the government admits that efforts against the Aedes aegypti mosquito are hampered by a lack of skilled fumigators. While 12 municipalities have met or exceeded their targets, Cerro, Plaza, and Playa have fallen behind, prompting direct criticism from Díaz-Canel.
The leader urged local authorities to utilize all available resources and involve students and workers to address the gaps. Liván Izquierdo Alonso, the first secretary of the Party in Havana, stated that these three areas have no excuse, as the rest of the capital has strengthened its efforts and expanded brigades in the past week.
This past Saturday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs workers conducted fumigation efforts in Plaza de la Revolución following the leader's call to action.
Recently, Dr. Carilda Peña García, the vice minister of Public Health, publicly admitted that the government cannot conduct mass fumigations as it did in the past due to shortages of fuel, insecticides, and deteriorating equipment used in anti-vector campaigns. This admission came during a state television appearance amid a widespread dengue chikungunya epidemic affecting much of the nation.
Residents in several Havana neighborhoods report irregular fumigation and persistent mosquito hot spots, exacerbated by garbage accumulation, lack of potable water, and poor waste management. A recent video by independent journalist Mario J. Pentón showed a supposed state fumigator in Víbora Park, Havana, visibly impaired by synthetic cannabinoid consumption, known as "the chemical," sparking outrage among locals and social media users.
Understanding the Mosquito Crisis in Havana
Why is there a shortage of fumigation workers in Havana?
The shortage is due to a lack of resources, including fuel and insecticides, as well as deteriorating fumigation equipment, which has led to insufficient numbers of trained fumigation operatives.
What actions has the Cuban government taken to combat the mosquito crisis?
The government is engaging students and workers to assist with fumigation efforts, conducting intensive adulticide treatments, and collaborating with universities for patient care and surveillance. However, these actions are limited by resource shortages.