The epidemiological situation in Sancti Spíritus remains dire as the region battles simultaneous outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya, according to health authorities in the area. Specialists confirmed in a press briefing that the province is experiencing an epidemic due to the widespread circulation of both viruses.
The provincial media outlet Escambray reported that the "official statistics are far from reality for both viruses," highlighting that many individuals become ill but do not seek medical attention, obscuring the true extent of the outbreak.
Local reports reveal that most neighborhoods have been affected, with chikungunya causing prolonged effects such as joint pain and weakness that can persist for months. Additionally, it is noted that the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine can only process a fraction of the samples due to capacity constraints, and intensive fumigation efforts have been hindered by resource shortages.
Despite the dedication of medical and nursing staff, controlling the outbreak is challenging due to the high infestation levels of the Aedes aegypti mosquito and the lack of essential supplies. Approximately 80 percent of the mosquito breeding sites in the province are located inside or around homes.
Following the local report, Miguel Díaz-Canel met with scientists at the Palacio de la Revolución, where he was informed that dengue and chikungunya cases are reportedly decreasing in Cuba. As broadcasted on television, the country is experiencing its eighth consecutive week of declining cases, though most provinces remain within the endemic epidemic corridor.
During this meeting, it was disclosed that over 2,800 chikungunya cases remain active across 134 municipalities, with regions such as Guantánamo, Las Tunas, Santiago de Cuba, Pinar del Río, and Artemisa exhibiting incidence rates above the national average. In Matanzas, about 60 percent of patients seek rehabilitation or traditional medicine treatment three months post-infection.
Weeks prior, the national director of Epidemiology, Francisco Durán García, acknowledged on television that "the officially reported figures for dengue and chikungunya infections do not always correspond with reality," as many sick individuals do not visit medical services and thus go unrecorded.
In Sancti Spíritus, residents continue to face a rise in febrile cases, medication shortages, and challenges in executing vector control measures. Health authorities concede that the situation remains complex, with the greatest challenge being to halt the spread of the mosquito responsible for transmission.
Understanding the Challenges of Dengue and Chikungunya Control in Cuba
Why are official statistics on dengue and chikungunya in Cuba considered unreliable?
Official statistics are considered unreliable because many people who fall ill do not seek medical help, leading to underreporting of the true number of cases.
What challenges do health authorities face in controlling the mosquito population?
Health authorities face challenges such as high infestation levels of the Aedes aegypti mosquito and a lack of essential resources for conducting extensive fumigation campaigns.
How does chikungunya affect patients in the long term?
Chikungunya can leave long-lasting effects, including joint pain and weakness, which can persist for several months after the initial infection.