On Saturday, the Spanish newspaper El País painted a harrowing picture of Cuba grappling with an unprecedented health crisis. The island is overwhelmed by false diagnoses, medicine shortages, overcrowded hospitals, and a surge in deaths linked to the widespread dissemination of dengue, chikungunya, Oropouche, and other respiratory viruses.
In a comprehensive report by journalist Carla Gloria Colomé Santiago, based on accounts from patients and healthcare workers, the situation is depicted as one of collapse. The simultaneous spread of these viruses has left the nation reeling.
As described, Cubans find themselves stuck in a country plagued by illness, where families struggle with severe symptoms, often unsure of their exact ailment, and hospitals are pushed to their limits.
Official statistics from last week reported 5,717 new chikungunya cases, increasing the total to 38,938. Dengue continues to affect all provinces and 113 out of the 168 municipalities in the country.
However, the most alarming figure is the 33 deaths acknowledged by the government, including 21 children.
Medical sources quoted by El País claim that the actual death toll is higher, with many death certificates failing to mention the viral cause, instead attributing deaths to heart attacks or other pre-existing conditions.
Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment
In cities such as Bayamo and Matanzas, locals report recent fatalities due to dehydration or respiratory failure related to the infection.
The lack of diagnostic reagents exacerbates the uncertainty. Nurses and doctors interviewed by the Spanish newspaper confirm a shortage of tests necessary to accurately identify the specific arbovirus, with many analyses discarded due to insufficient supplies.
In numerous clinics, patients receive vague diagnoses of “non-specific febrile syndrome,” preventing proper follow-up care.
Compounding the issue is a severe shortage of essential medications, which exceeds 70%, forcing people to resort to home remedies and herbal infusions for treatment.
Nutritional and Environmental Concerns
The report also highlights how nutritional deficiencies worsen medical conditions. An internal guide from the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) suggests high-protein diets with dairy, fish, and nuts to bolster the immune system against chikungunya. Yet, these foods are beyond reach for most Cubans.
“Our meals now are ground meat and rice,” one interviewee lamented.
While the government attempts to downplay the outbreak’s severity, pointing out that it's not unique to Cuba and citing regional examples, the accumulation of garbage, water shortages, power outages, and lack of insecticides have created an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.
According to El País, the government's response arrived too late to prevent a crisis that has already overwhelmed hospitals and morgues, leaving the population in fear, unprotected, and physically exhausted.
Public Outcry and Government Response
Accounts collected by the media describe a country where “nobody is okay,” with an exhausted populace enduring pain, fever, and uncertainty, searching for answers the healthcare system cannot provide.
Recently, Holguín health authorities admitted to failing in mosquito prevention, as the province faces a complex epidemiological situation with three municipalities in an epidemic phase.
A recent report by the Cuban Conflict Observatory (OCC) and the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba documented at least 87 deaths linked to the arbovirus epidemic across the island between October and November 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Arbovirus Crisis
What viruses are contributing to the current health crisis in Cuba?
The health crisis in Cuba is primarily driven by the spread of dengue, chikungunya, Oropouche, and other respiratory viruses.
How is the Cuban government responding to the arbovirus outbreak?
The government's response has been criticized as insufficient and delayed, with measures arriving too late to prevent the crisis from overwhelming healthcare facilities.
What challenges do healthcare workers face in diagnosing these viruses?
Healthcare workers face significant challenges due to a lack of diagnostic reagents and supplies, leading to many cases being diagnosed as “non-specific febrile syndrome.”